Special Exhibit Series on Festivals in Kumano: Owase’s Ya-ya Matsuri
This exhibits features Owase’s Ya-ya Matsuri, a 5-day festival held by Owase Shrine each year starting February 1st.
This unique festival has almost 300 years of history and features a variety of events like the Ya-ya Neri (a ritual brawl), the Korikaki (ritual purification of the whole body in frigid ocean waters), and a ritual archery demonstration. This exhibit will show various aspects of the Ya-ya Matsuri from a variety of perspectives.
1.Date and Time：Saturday, December 21, 2013 – Sunday, February 9, 2014
※The Kumano Kodo Center will be closed on December 31 and January 1
2.Admission：Free
3.Location： Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center Special Exhibit Room
（〒519-3625 Mie-ken, Owase-shi, Mukai 12-4 TEL：0597-25-2666）
《Concurrent events》
① Yanohama Kagura
The Society for the Preservation of Yanohama Yagura will be performing a traditional Japanese lion dance. The humorous dance involves a Kotengu (a mythological beast with bird and human-like features) deviously prodding a sleeping lion.
1.Date and time：Sunday, January 19, 2014, 11AM (the dance will run for 45 minutes)
2.Location：Kumano Kodo Center Exhibit Building Lobby
3.Admission: Free
4.Performance by：The Society for the Preservation of Yanohama Yagura
②Lecture: The Ya-Ya Matsuri Today
According to documents dated to 1735, a Shinto shrine was established in the Owase area in 1661 and local worshippers have continued to hold festivals related to the shrine since its founding. Mr. Moriaki Kato, a priest of Owase Shrine, will give a lecture about this festival, which has over 300 years of history and is known in modern times as the Ya-Ya Matsuri.
1.Date and time：Sunday, January 19, 2014, 13:30-15:00
2.Location：Kumano Kodo Center Exhibit Building Auditorium
3.Admission：Free
4.Seats available：100（no reservation required）
5.Lecturer：Mr. Moriaki Kato, priest of Owase Shrine
