Camellia Tea Ceremony

🎌NATIONAL FOUNDATION DAY🎌

February 11th's 'Kenkoku Kinen-no-hi' (建国記念の日 'National Foundation Day') celebrates the 'founding' of Japan by the first emperor, Jimmu (神武天皇 711-585BC).

#Kyoto #京都 #建国記念の日 #NationalFoundationDay

Feb 11 at 3:09amWeb
Show threadCamellia Tea CeremonyFeb 11

Shimogamo-jinja (下鴨神社), because of its links to Emperor Jimmu, puts great effort into celebrating National Foundation Day, with displays of Kendō (剣道) and Kemari (蹴鞠).

Kemari is very much like a ritualistic form of keepie-uppies.

#蹴鞠 #下鴨神社

Show threadCamellia Tea CeremonyFeb 11
It is said that Emperor Jimmu was guided from Kumano to (what would become) Yamato by a divine, 3-legged crow. The 'Yatagarasu' (八咫烏) was believed to be an incarnation of Kamo Taketsunumi (賀茂建角身命), one of the principal gods later enshrined at Shimogamo-jinja (下鴨神社).
Show threadCamellia Tea CeremonyFeb 11

Emperor Jimmu ascended the throne on New Year's Day (the first day of the first month) in the traditional lunar calendar.

There is no historical evidence that Jimmu existed, but the date is significant as New Year is an auspicious time for change and fresh undertakings.
#Japan

Show threadslyvorgFeb 11
@camelliakyoto TIL hacky sack is 2000 years old 😜