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Yōmei Bunko & Kozan-so
＜Yōmei Bunko＞
Yōmei Bunko is a historical archive collected over the centuries by the Konoe family, the foremost of the five regent houses of the imperial court nobility.
The collection includes one UNESCO Memory of the World, 8 National Treasures, and 60 Important Cultural Properties, as well as approximately 100,000 items including old records, diaries, letters, and antiquities handed down by the Konoe and Fujiwara families.
Yōmei Bunko Foundation was established in 1938 by Fumimaro Konoe (1891-1945), then head of the family and prime minister of Japan. Materials preserved in the archive illustrate over 1,000 years of Japan's history, ranging from the "Midō Kanpaku-ki", the diary in his own hand of Fujiwara no Michinaga (966 - 1028), one of the ancestors of the Konoe family, to 20th century materials relating to Fumimaro Konoe himself.
＜Kozan-so＞
Kozan-so is a sukiya style building adjacent to the Yōmei Bunko for the purpose of viewing the collection. It was designed by Eikichi Hasebe.
Traditional Costume - Sokutai:
by Kuroda Shozoku
The host of the program, Tadahiro Konoe, the descendent of the Konoe family will be dressed in “sokutai”, a traditional costume. The “sokutai” is the most formal attire for men of high rank in the court during the the Heian period (8-12th century).
The costume dressing will be carried out by Kuroda Shozoku, or Kuroda costumes who has been producing costumes since the early Edo period (17th century). They are involved in most famous festivals of Kyoto such as the Aoi Matsuri, Jidai Matsuri, and Inari Matsuri.
The name "sokutai" comes from the term "stone belt" (a belt with a stone attached) used to bind the costume around the waist. The colour of the costume determined the rank at the court and black was for the highest nobility. Use of purple used by the emperor was strictly prohibited to be worn by the others.
Bugaku:
Ancient Shinto Performance
by Yasaka Gagaku-kai
Bugaku will be performed by the Yasaka Gagaku-kai, the group of dancers performing regularly at annual festivals of Yasaka Shrine. Yasaka Shrine historically is associated with the Fujiwara clan, including Fujiwara no Michinaga the mastermind behind Tale of Genji. The programme performed at Kozanso is also being depicted in Tale of Genji..
Bugaku or the court dance and music is a traditional dance that has been performed at the imperial court and shrines for over twelve hundred years. The dancers wear traditional costumes and masks.
Yasaka Shrine was highly revered by the Fujiwara clan, and Mototsune is said to have donated his mansion to the shrine in 9th century, and although the building no longer exist, the current Yasaka Shrine stands where this mansion oriignally was. Michinaga also frequently visited around the 10th century. It is said that the reverence of the central figures of the Fujiwara clan during its heyday elevated the status of Yasaka Shrine.
The tea ceremony will be performed by members of Urasenke tradition of
the Way of Tea.
Urasenke is one of the main schools of the tea ceremony. Along with
Omotesenke and Mushanokōjisenke, it is one of the three lines of the Sen
family descending from Sen Rikyū, (1522 - 1591) who had the most
profound influence on the tradition.
The tea ceremony (known as chadō “The Way of Tea” or chanoyu) is a
cultural activity involving the preparation and presentation of matcha
“powdered green tea”. During a tea gathering, sweets are served while the
host prepares matcha. The gathering also involves conversation between
the host and guests regarding the bowls and utensils used to prepare tea
and the art displayed in the tearoom, which are often chosen according to
the season and purpose of the gathering or in relation to one of the guests.
The Konoe family played an important role in chanoyu, and Konoe Iehiro
(1667-1736) held over 300 tea gatherings. Iehiro’s collection of teascoops
is one the most popular items in the Yōmei Bunko collection, which
includes the teascoops hand carved by the former emperor and Sen Rikyū
himself.
photo; Tsunehiro Kobayashi
Tea Ceremony: the Urasenke Tradition
Japanese Sake: Yamamoto Honke
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. Saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Saké will be provided by two breweries from two major regions of saké industry, Fushimi and Itami.
Yamamoto Honke is the oldest brewery in Kyoto found in 1667, located in Fushimi the heart of saké brewing in Kyoto .
The brewery’s founder, Genbee Yamamoto’s name has been inherited over the years, the current being the 11th generation. Yamamoto Honke sources its spring water from the surrounding mountain, known for its soft and rich character. The water is known as “Shiragikui” or “white chrysanthemum water”. The well next to the brewery is visited by tourists as well as local residents.
Their signature brand is called Shinsei, which was named and written by Tomioka Tessai, the greatest literati of the 18-19th century. It was through friendship between Tessai and the 8th generation Genbee who was also a literati with penchant for poetry and tea ceremony.
Japanese Sake: Konishi Shuzou
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Saké will be provided by two breweries from two major region of saké industry, Itami and Fushimi.
Konishi Brewing from Fushimi, found in 1550 is the oldest brewery still owned and managed by the founding family. Their signature brand “Shirayuki” (White Snow) is named after the beautiful and spectacular scenery of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji by the second generation owner, Soutaku, on his way to Tokyo to deliver sake in barrels on horseback.
Legend has it that the first refined clear saké was brewed in Itami during the Edo period (1603-1867). Clear saké in contrast to the cloudy saké which were the majority then, gained popularity which to led to Itami being known as “the birthplace of saké.
Itami was once under the domain of the Konoe family, and it’s sake brewing developed significantly under the patronage of the Konoe family.
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Kyomai - Japanese Dance:
Inoue School of Kyoto Dance
The Kyomai dance will be performed by Geisha during the reception. Geisha are highly skilled entertainers who appear at high-end dinners, private parties and special events to add a special touch to the proceedings. They have trained for years in the traditional arts namely the Kyomai, Kyoto style dance.
Fully-fledged geisha are formally called “Geiko”, and young apprentice, usually between the ages of 15 and 20 are called “Maiko”. In addition there is “Jikata” who specialises in musical instruments.
There are schools that teaches dance to those geishas, of which the most established school is the Inoue school. The Inoue school only accept Geiko and Maiko of the Gion district which is now the largest and the most popular among 6 major districts.
Sato, the founder of the Inoue school started working at Konoe family in the 18th century at age 16. She was already a trained dancer but having access to other established performing arts at the imperial court, led her to become a unique dancer of her own. The Konoe family gave her the name Yachiyo and "Konoe Bishi" crest to establish the Inoue school.
The name Yachiyo has been passed down from generation to generation, the current generation being the fifth.
