contributor
27,126
edits
Changes
Ryukyu seasonal observances (view source)
Revision as of 03:56, 11 January 2017
, 03:56, 11 January 2017no edit summary
[[File:Cho-nu-fee.JPG|right|thumb|320px|Scholar-aristocrats kowtowing to the king, during a reenactment of the ''Chô nu unu-fee'' ceremony, Jan 1, 2017]]
[[File:Cho-nu-fee.JPG|right|thumb|320px|Scholar-aristocrats kowtowing to the king, during a reenactment of the ''Chô nu unu-fee'' ceremony, Jan 1, 2017]]
[[File:Ufu-tuui.JPG|right|thumb|320px|Palace pages (''koshô'') offering [[awamori]] to scholar-officials of the court, during a reenactment of the ''Ufu-tuui'' ceremony, Jan 1, 2017]]
[[File:Ufu-tuui.JPG|right|thumb|320px|Palace pages (''koshô'') offering [[awamori]] to scholar-officials of the court, during a reenactment of the ''Ufu-tuui'' ceremony, Jan 1, 2017]]
New Year's celebrations included, among other activities, three major ceremonies held in the ''Unaa'' (central plaza) of [[Shuri castle]].
New Year's celebrations included, among other activities, three major ceremonies held in the ''Unaa'' (central plaza) of [[Shuri castle]], both on the first day of the new year, and on the 15th.
In the first of these ceremonies, called ''Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee'' (子之方御拝), the king and other members of the royal family, along with members of the court and representatives of the common people, lined up in the ''unaa'' and bowed towards an altar, burning incense and offering prayers towards Heaven and the gods. The ''unaa'' plaza was paved in alternating rows of red brick and grey gravel, providing "marks" on which officials lined up; the leading officials of the [[Kumemura]] community, along with members of the [[Sanshikan]] and other top level officials stood in the front row, nearest to the altar after the royal family. Behind them were figures of ''[[anji]]'' and ''ueekata'' [[Ryukyuan court ranks|court rank]], followed by those of ''peechin'', ''satunushi'', and other lower ranks. The officials all faced the Seiden (main palace hall) as the King made a formal appearance, accompanied by the banging of a gong and the blowing of trumpets (''rappa'' and ''dôkaku''), and by ''uzagaku'' (Chinese-style court music). He then made his way to the altar, located within the plaza, where he offered incense, and bowed along with all those behind him. The ''chagushi'', a high-ranking Kumemura official, called out the protocols in Chinese, telling all those assembled when to bow (which they did three times), when to raise their heads from the bow, and when to call out "Wansui" (lit. "10,000 years," equiv. to J. ''banzai''). Prayers were also offered to Heaven and to the gods, in celebration of the new year, and in hope for peace and prosperity.
In the first of these ceremonies, called ''Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee'' (子之方御拝), the king and other members of the royal family, along with members of the court and representatives of the common people, lined up in the ''unaa'' and bowed towards an altar, burning incense and offering prayers towards Heaven and the gods. The ''unaa'' plaza was paved in alternating rows of red brick and grey gravel, providing "marks" on which officials lined up; the leading officials of the [[Kumemura]] community, along with members of the [[Sanshikan]] and other top level officials stood in the front row, nearest to the altar after the royal family. Behind them were figures of ''[[anji]]'' and ''ueekata'' [[Ryukyuan court ranks|court rank]], followed by those of ''peechin'', ''satunushi'', and other lower ranks. The officials all faced the Seiden (main palace hall) as the King made a formal appearance, accompanied by the banging of a gong and the blowing of trumpets (''rappa'' and ''dôkaku''), and by ''uzagaku'' (Chinese-style court music). He then made his way to the altar, located within the plaza, where he offered incense, and bowed along with all those behind him. The ''chagushi'', a high-ranking Kumemura official, called out the protocols in Chinese, telling all those assembled when to bow (which they did three times), when to raise their heads from the bow, and when to call out "Wansui" (lit. "10,000 years," equiv. to J. ''banzai''). Prayers were also offered to Heaven and to the gods, in celebration of the new year, and in hope for peace and prosperity.
These ceremonies are annually reenacted at the castle today, albeit on the solar New Year's (January 1st and 2nd), rather than in accordance with the lunar calendar. The above descriptions are based in large part on the reenactments; how these differ from the ceremonies as actually performed historically is unclear.
These ceremonies are annually reenacted at the castle today, albeit on the solar New Year's (January 1st and 2nd), rather than in accordance with the lunar calendar. The above descriptions are based in large part on the reenactments; how these differ from the ceremonies as actually performed historically is unclear.
==2nd Month==
In the second month of the year, the king traveled to [[Kudaka Island]] or to [[Bengadake]] to offer prayers, and on a separate occasion performed ritual prayers for a good harvest. The specific dates of these rituals varied from year to year, depending on which dates were deemed auspicious.
==3rd Month==
On 3/3, women of the court went down to the beach to engage in purification rituals.
A separate ritual, held on a date judged auspicious, involved prayers for the crops, and expressions of gratitude to the gods for agricultural prosperity.
==4th Month==
On 4/1, summer was official deemed to have begun, and members of the court switched from their winter court costume to the summer version.
On another day of the month, a date deemed auspicious, ''abushibaree'' was performed; frogs, insects, and other pests were cleaned out of the palace.
==5th Month==
On 5/5, or ''Tango no sekku'', purification rituals were performed, with the aim of purifying one's body, and driving out bad things.
On another day of the month, a date deemed auspicious, further prayers were made for the growth of the crops.
==6th Month==
On an auspicious day of the month, ceremonies were held in celebration of the fruiting of the crops.
==7th Month==
On 7/7 ([[Tanabata]]), prayers were made to the spirits of past kings, and members of the court visited various shrines and temples.
From 7/13 until 7/15, [[Obon]] was observed.
==8th Month==
On 8/15, people engaged in ''[[tsukimi]'', taking time to appreciate the moon.
On an auspicious day of the month, ''susuki'' (''miscanthus'') grasses or other sorts of reeds were used in a ritual to drive out bad spirits, called ''shibasashi''.
==9th Month==
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
==References==
==References==
*"Shinshun no en" (Shurijo Castle Park's New Year's Celebration), pamphlet, 2017.
*"Shinshun no en" (Shurijo Castle Park's New Year's Celebration), pamphlet, 2017.
*Gallery labels, Shuri castle.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/29204159954/sizes/k/]
==External Links==
==External Links==