68 x 24’ (ongoing)
Facing Sea of Japan to the north and having Chugoku Mountains to the south, San-in region (Shimane and Tottori Prefecture) is located in the western part of Japan. People have been living here and creating events, entertainment and a wisdom of everyday life that are very distinctive of San-in region for many generations since the ancient time. These are valuable assets, which are inherited by our Japanese ancestors. “100 Sights of Ancient Cities” is a TV series handing down to next generation the inheritance of our ancestors such as precious traditional events, entertainment, crafts and wisdom of everyday life.
- “Kirin Lion”
Eastern Tottori has a distinctive lion dance that started in Edo period. It is a very slow lion dance with a mask modeling the legendary sacred beast called “Kirin”. A slow movement of a golden head, a vermillion body and a drunken Shojo leading the lion will fascinate the spectators.
- “Sumitsuke Tondo”
“Sumitsuke Tondo” began 250 years ago in Katae district, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Once the shrine parishioners carry Mikoshi, the portable shrine on their shoulders, women in the district bring out an ink paste mixed with Omiki the sacred sake and smear it on everyone on the street. It is said that the ink paste on the face wards of evil spirits. It is believed to be an event to wish a sound health and a maritime safety.
- “Shiroyama Shrine Festival”
Shikano-Cho, Tottori City had prospered since the Sengoku period as a castle town of Shikano Castle. Shiroyama Shrine Festival was created by Kamei Korenori who was the master of Shikano Castle at the beginning of Edo period. The festival still attracts people every spring. Gorgeous and powerful float, dashing armored worriers, sakaki the sacred tree, portable shrine and lion dance are the traces and the scenes of the ancient festivals that vividly remain today.
- “Yodoe Umbrellas”
Japanese style umbrella was dominating the market until western umbrella emerged and became popular in the middle of Showa period. Yodoegasa is named after Yodoe-Cho, Yonago City, Tottori prefecture where paper and bamboo are produced to make Japanese umbrellas. The western umbrellas are made of a fabric. It is becoming popular again as the paper umbrellas for women with bull’s-eye design come in many colors.
- “Takomaishiki Shrine Ritual”
It is a festival handed down to a shrine in Hoki-Cho, Tottori Prefecture, which is considered one of the three strange festivals in Japan. The local men wearing only loincloths lift a man in celebration many times and finally, they rotate a log that the man is clinging. It is a mysterious festival to appreciate the cultivation of crops and to wish happiness of the region.
- “Matsue Do Gyoretsu Drum Parade”
Every October, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture hosts a drum festival where everybody is encouraged to join in and pound on the giant drums that are hauled on floats through the streets. These two-metre-diameter (6.5 feet) “Do” drums are pulled by children arrayed in traditional coats, and are accompanied by bamboo flutes and changara cymbals. The sound of this energetic procession echoes through the city not only on the day of the festival, but also in the evenings leading up to the day as groups all over town gather to practice in their respective neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood as its own specific carriages, styles of drumming, and outfits.
