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During the festival, tribute was offered to the gods, and the ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, but the emperor himself did not participate. In the [[Heian period]], the festival declined and was only celebrated in the [[Department of Divinities]].<ref name=":0" />
During the festival, tribute was offered to the gods, and the ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, but the emperor himself did not participate. In the [[Heian period]], the festival declined and was only celebrated in the [[Department of Divinities]].<ref name=":0" />

Later, the festival became more solemn and focused on worshipping [[Amaterasu|Amaterasu Ōmikami]], the sun goddess, and during the period of "[[Cloistered Emperor|cloistered emperors]]", it became a personal rite of the Emperor to worship Amaterasu. Kinensai eventually became such a sacred ceremony that it would be canceled in case of any pollution at the Ise Shrines.<ref name=":0" /> This is similar to the [[Feng Shan]] festival in China.<ref name=":02">{{cite book |last1=Bokenkamp |first1=Stephen |title=Religions of Asia in Practice |year=2002 |isbn=9780691188140 |pages=386–395 |chapter=24. Record of the Feng and Shan Sacrifices |doi=10.1515/9780691188140-029 |chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780691188140-029/pdf}}</ref>


However, the festival stopped being celebrated in the late Muromachi period due to military conflict. It was later revived in a form called sairō by Shirakawa house, the ruling clan of the [[Department of Divinities]]. But this form was quite abbreviated. Kinensai would later be revived in the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name=":0" />
However, the festival stopped being celebrated in the late Muromachi period due to military conflict. It was later revived in a form called sairō by Shirakawa house, the ruling clan of the [[Department of Divinities]]. But this form was quite abbreviated. Kinensai would later be revived in the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name=":0" />

Revision as of 21:57, 6 November 2023

Kinen-sai is a festival that was celebrated every year in ancient Japan on February 4th. It was an important observance of the government. It was held to pray for a good harvest. Emperor Tenmu started the festival in 675. All the shrines of the Engishiki Jinmyocho had to do the ceremony.[1]

During the festival, tribute was offered to the gods, and the ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, but the emperor himself did not participate. In the Heian period, the festival declined and was only celebrated in the Department of Divinities.[1]

However, the festival stopped being celebrated in the late Muromachi period due to military conflict. It was later revived in a form called sairō by Shirakawa house, the ruling clan of the Department of Divinities. But this form was quite abbreviated. Kinensai would later be revived in the Meiji Restoration.[1]

It is sometimes contrasted with Niiname-no-Matsuri or the fall festival.[2]

It is now celebrated yearly all across Japan[3] including at Meiji Jingu,[4] and Isonokami Shrine

References

  1. ^ a b c Fujimori, Kaoru. "Kinensai". Kokugakuin University encyclopedia of shinto. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  2. ^ "Kinen-sai (Ceremony for praying for the harvest), Tauchi-mai Shinji (Shinto rituals to pray for a good harvest for the year) | Samukawa-jinja Shrine". Samukawa-jinja Shrine Official Website. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  3. ^ "Jinja-Honcho -CIVILIZATION OF THE DIVINE FOREST-". www.jinjahoncho.or.jp. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  4. ^ "Rites & Events|Meiji Jingu". www.meijijingu.or.jp. Retrieved 2023-11-01.