KAMO-KANGETSU-SAI (=MOON VIEWING CEREMONY) AT KAMIGAMO SHRINE
I was invited to “Kangetsu-sai” at Kamigamo shrine.
The custom of appreciating the moon extends back to the era of Han Dynasty in China,
and there is a record of having a big moon viewing party during the reign of Emperor Uda (887-897) in Japan.
After the Edo period, common people also started appreciating the moon with offerings such as dango (=sweet rice dumpling), edamame, Japanese pampas grass and sake.
Many poems from those old days are found at Kamigamo shrine.
Matsu hodo ni kokoro asakumo omou kana.
Hikari saya keki yonayona no tsuki.
While many people were watching, the ceremony proceeded and we could view the brightly shinning full moon over the roof of Baba-den.
It is said that in the old days, aristocrats did not watch the moon directly but enjoyed its reflection on the lake.
After all, it was a time without electric lights.
People must have felt at ease under the bright moonlight and I suppose that is why they prayed or made a wish upon the moon.
I appreciated the glorious time at Kamigamo shrine.
The mangos raised by the couple with great care tasted so good.
“My son has been out to the field everyday talking about only Mangos…
So I thought he would live his life alone like that.
I’m so happy that he met M-san and we can see them getting married today.”
I recalled that I was moved by this story told by the groom’s father on their wedding day three years ago.
Their daughter, Saa-chan can now talk a little bit and her voice over the phone made me feel better.
She didn’t start talking yet when I met her last year.
I cannot wait to see her again imagining how cute she is grown now.
We feel very happy that they keep in touch with us after the wedding.
Thanks so much.
By I and S / Japanese Style Wedding Planner, LST Wedding Kyoto
We are happy to announce that OATSURAE-TEN held in Paris from September 8th to 14th ended successfully and all the planners who attended the exhibition are now back in Japan.
Please have a look of pictures of OATSURAE-TEN here.
I visited “Yoshida-Sanso” the other day to support the photography there.
It has been well known as one of the buildings associated with Imperial family.
Built with all “Hinoki (=cypress)” in traditional Japanese architectural style, yet it has an elegant atmosphere created by the fusion of Japanese and Western taste such as the stained glass displayed on the wall.
From the banquet hall, you can view the garden full of green and admire pretty flowers of the season.
At Yoshida-Sanso, you can have a nice, relaxing time with your precious guests.
We recommend this place for the couples who wants to have their wedding at the authentic traditional Japanese house.
Thanks to the cooperation with the photography to the florist, the photographer and Yoshida-Sanso.
She once lived in Kyoto, near Kamigamo-shrine, so knew about Kyoto very well.
She looked great in Shiro-Muku (all white kimonos), her choice from our wedding costumes.
French couple who dropped in while they were having a date.
She got interested in Japanese culture through cartoon, and she was so happy to wear kimono as it has been her dream for long time.
On the second day of OATSURAE-TEN, also many Parisians visited our exhibition and experienced Japanese culture.
We are so happy because far more people than we expected are visiting the exhibition.
“To make Japanese wedding ceremony more beautiful, fun and valuable moment”
Looking forward to meeting a lot of people in the remaining five days.
She has been interested in the culture of Kyoto ever since she had traveled to Tokyo.
So she stopped by our exhibition when she was passing by.
Firstly, we welcomed her with “Matcha (=green tea)” and “Crane and Turtle shaped kouhaku-higashi (Japanese traditional sweets)”.
Displayed are Shiro-Muku (all white kimonos) and Iro-Uchikake (kimonos with colorful design) for the wedding at Kamigamo shrine, wigs of traditional hair style, and the panels illustrate the process of the shinto-style wedding ceremony.
Taking this opportunity, we would like to introduce “Japanese style wedding” to as many people in Paris as possible.
By N.K / Japanese Style Wedding Planner, LST Wedding
