Difference between revisions of "Ryukyu seasonal observances"
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==New Year== | ==New Year== | ||
| − | 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. | + | 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. The court busily devoted itself to preparations for new years beginning, particularly, from 12/27. |
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. | ||
| − | + | The second ceremony, known by in Okinawan as ''Chô nu unu-fee'' (朝之御拝) or also as (in the Japanese pronunciation) ''karahafû kohai kishiki'' (唐破豊向拝規式), took place around noon on the first day of the new year. Court officials lined up in the ''unaa'', facing the Seiden, to pay respects to the king, reaffirming their loyalty and offering new year's greetings to him. Officials lined up within the plaza according to their ranks, with the highest-ranking officials closest to the front, and the lowest-ranking ones at the back. Sliding panels underneath the ''[[karahafu]]'' gable at the front of the second story of the palace were opened, revealing the King, on a throne. As in the ''Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee'' ceremony, ''uzagaku'', trumpets, and gongs accompanied the audience. The ''chagushi'' served as master of ceremonies, instructing all those assembled, in Chinese, to [[kowtow]] to the king, three times. Top-ranking officials, representing the entire court, approached an altar directly in front of the steps to the Seiden, lighting incense and offering prayers for the king's long life (''wansui'') and prosperity. | |
The third of the New Year's ceremonies is known as ''ufu tuui'' (大通り), and involved the king sharing bottles of [[awamori]] with the members of the court, in celebration of the New Year. Doors were opened on the first floor of the Seiden, revealing the king and queen seated on thrones, before a stand bearing bottles of awamori, and drinking cups. After the king and queen drank from the cups, pages (''koshô'') provided awamori to the gathered officials. A special type of liquor bottle known as ''utamasuki'' (御玉貫), covered within a beaded jacket, was used for this ritual purpose. | The third of the New Year's ceremonies is known as ''ufu tuui'' (大通り), and involved the king sharing bottles of [[awamori]] with the members of the court, in celebration of the New Year. Doors were opened on the first floor of the Seiden, revealing the king and queen seated on thrones, before a stand bearing bottles of awamori, and drinking cups. After the king and queen drank from the cups, pages (''koshô'') provided awamori to the gathered officials. A special type of liquor bottle known as ''utamasuki'' (御玉貫), covered within a beaded jacket, was used for this ritual purpose. | ||
Revision as of 11:49, 11 January 2017
In the Ryûkyû Kingdom, members of the royal family and the scholar-aristocracy of Ryukyu, as well as others associated with the royal court, took part in a variety of ceremonies and observances on certain occasions of every year.
New Year
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. The court busily devoted itself to preparations for new years beginning, particularly, from 12/27.
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 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.
The second ceremony, known by in Okinawan as Chô nu unu-fee (朝之御拝) or also as (in the Japanese pronunciation) karahafû kohai kishiki (唐破豊向拝規式), took place around noon on the first day of the new year. Court officials lined up in the unaa, facing the Seiden, to pay respects to the king, reaffirming their loyalty and offering new year's greetings to him. Officials lined up within the plaza according to their ranks, with the highest-ranking officials closest to the front, and the lowest-ranking ones at the back. Sliding panels underneath the karahafu gable at the front of the second story of the palace were opened, revealing the King, on a throne. As in the Ni-nu-faa nu unu-fee ceremony, uzagaku, trumpets, and gongs accompanied the audience. The chagushi served as master of ceremonies, instructing all those assembled, in Chinese, to kowtow to the king, three times. Top-ranking officials, representing the entire court, approached an altar directly in front of the steps to the Seiden, lighting incense and offering prayers for the king's long life (wansui) and prosperity.
The third of the New Year's ceremonies is known as ufu tuui (大通り), and involved the king sharing bottles of awamori with the members of the court, in celebration of the New Year. Doors were opened on the first floor of the Seiden, revealing the king and queen seated on thrones, before a stand bearing bottles of awamori, and drinking cups. After the king and queen drank from the cups, pages (koshô) provided awamori to the gathered officials. A special type of liquor bottle known as utamasuki (御玉貫), covered within a beaded jacket, was used for this ritual purpose.
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
On 9/9, a purification ritual was performed, in which one purified one's body, and drove out bad things.
On an auspicious day within the month, the king visited Futenma Shrine.
10th Month
On the 1st of the 10th month, the court changed to winter clothes.
11th Month
12th Month
References
- "Shinshun no en" (Shurijo Castle Park's New Year's Celebration), pamphlet, 2017.
- Gallery labels, Shuri castle.[1]
