Baikasai and Nodate Ohchanoyu Plum Blossom Festivals

One of the ultimate Kyoto winter delights is watching its plum flowers in full bloom at this time of the year and enjoy seeing one of Kyot's most beautiful temples. 

Add a tea ceremony and an evening geiko or maiko - this is an unmissable experience. The plum blossom trees are celebrated annually at this event. 

Established in 947, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane who was a scholar, litterateur and politician in the beginning of Heian era (lived from 845 to 903). He is also known as a deity of wisdom. As Sugawara Michizane was born on June 25th, Tenjin festival is held every 25th of each month. 

On February 25th, Baikasai, Ume plum blossom festival, is held in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. As Michizane died on February 25th, this festival is taken place to repose his soul. During Baikasai, there is an event called “Nodate” which Maiko, Geiko and Okami, their masters, would serve you a tea in the plum garden. They are from Kamishichiken where is the oldest Geiko district in northwest Kyoto. You need to reserve your seat for this event.

Nodate Ohchanoyu

This event is associated with the tea ceremony taken place in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a feudal lord who completed the unification of Japan, hosted in 1587. Baikasai Nodate Ohchanoyu has been held annually since 1952 and all Maiko, Geiko and Okami, their masters, from Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater where is right next to Kitano Tenmangu would join all together for this event for serving a tea to invited guests. All of them are from Kamishichiken Kaburenjo where they train, perform and serve. The atmosphere is very tasteful as plum trees are blooming perfectly well around this time of year. Please note that you need to purchase a ticket for this event. The tickets are available at the office of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.When: 25 Feb 2020

Kodate
During the festival, priests worship the soul of Sugawara Michizane and provide “Baika no Gokuu” which is a holy meal for Michizane and two rice casks, plum branch and kodate are offered. Kodate is a paper cup and plum branches are put inside. 42 white plum branches and 33 pink branches are offered as it is associated with the idea of a critical age called “Yakudoshi” based on the Theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. As the age 42 for men and 33 for women are regarded as a critical age, the same numbers of plum branches are offered to Michizane’s spirit.

Where: Kintano Tenmangu Shrine
Admission Fee: Kintano Tenmangu Shrine

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