Core Kyoto
Season 6, Episode 7: Yasurai Matsuri: Town Elders' Prayers Embodied in Flowers and Dance
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Red and black demons beating drums and gongs dance through the streets of Kyoto's north in the Yasurai Matsuri, one of the city's three most curious festivals. In days of old, pestilence ran rampant every year when the cherry blossoms fell. Locals believed the 2 were linked, so with lively dances they lured deities of plagues under a bright umbrella to return them to the shrine for the year. Discover local beliefs through the lens of a festival that continues in this age of advanced medicine.
All Episodes - Season 6
Episode 1
Kurama: Mystical Land of Legends
Episode 2
Fabric Pieces: Honoring the Past
Episode 3
Celebrating the New Year: With Reverence and Gratitude
Episode 4
An Artistic Lineage: Nurturing a Painting Tradition
Episode 5
Bubuzuke: A Dish Inspired by Frugality
Episode 6
Maiko Hair Ornaments: A Classical Culture of Kawaii
Episode 7
Yasurai Matsuri: Town Elders' Prayers Embodied in Flowers and Dance
Episode 8
Dynastic Arts & Crafts: The Pursuit of Heian Peace and Beauty
Episode 9
Mirei Shigemori: The Ageless Modernity of the Rock Garden
Episode 10
Kyokusui-no-Utage: Poetry with Classic Heian Elegance
Episode 11
Satoyama Living: Country Customs Sustaining the Ancient Capital
Episode 12
Japanese Pepper: The Zesty Spice of Kyoto Cuisine
Episode 13
Tatami: The Flooring Underlying Japanese Culture
Episode 14
Folding Fans: Cooling Accessories Encapsulate Elegance
Episode 15
The Matsuage Festival: Keeping the Fire Tradition Alive
Episode 16
The Artisans for the Deities: Enduring Skills and Devotion
Episode 17
Kyoto Cosmetics: Secrets for Drawing Out Inner Beauty
Episode 18
The Culture of Gold Leaf: Gossamer Layers Beget Profound Beauty
Episode 19
Kyoto Swords: Splendor That Dispels Evil Spirits
Episode 20
End of the Samurai Era: The Capital Survives Turbulent Times