KUMANO RIVER SANDANBO CRUISE AND MANDALA – SECRETS OF PILGRIMAGE - Follow an Ancient Pilgrimage Route on a Traditional Three-sail Boat and Visit a Sacred Shrine

Then Kyoko-san pulled a nice surprise out of her bag. It was a traditional bamboo flute. She said to relax, listen and float back in time as we imagined how it felt to ride down the Kumano River hundreds of years ago. She was a talented player and the music fit perfectly with the stillness of the water, rocks and trees that surrounded us.

Caption: Kyoko-san played some beautiful music against a natural backdrop.

After that brief musical interlude, the engine was restarted and we cruised off towards Mifune Island (“Mifune-jima” in Japanese) in the middle of the river. As we circled the island, Kyoko-san explained how it is an integral part of the annual Mifune Matsuri on October 16. As part of this festival, the divine spirit enshrined at Kumano Hayatama Taisha is taken by ceremonial boat to the island. In this ceremony, nine other swift rowboats accompany the spirit in a sort of regatta.

Caption: Mifune-jima is an important place during the annual festival.

When we neared the end of our river cruise, Tanigami-san again turned off the engine. Kyoko-san said that we would try to use the wind to move us upstream, but it was a very calm day and there wasn’t much wind for the sails to catch. She said we should close our eyes and listen to the sound of the water as it lapped softly at the hull of the boat. As we did this, we heard the sails catch a breeze and could feel the boat being pulled down the river. It was a perfect moment.

Caption: The breeze grabbed the sails and took us upriver.

Tanigami-san docked the boat on the banks of the river and we disembarked from a wonderful cruise. I thanked him for everything and waved goodbye as he pushed off and was headed back upstream within minutes. For Kyoko-san and I, the tour would continue at Kumano Hayatama Taisya.

The torii gate at the shrine’s entrance is painted a vibrant red-orange and there is a beautiful small bridge that visitors must cross before stepping onto the grounds of the shrine. Kyoko-san told me that the shrine in its current form was built in 1951 and that it is dedicated to “Kumano Hayatama no okami”, the deity of moving water.

Caption: The entrance to Kumano Hayatama Taisya has bold colors.

Caption: Kyoko-san continued to provide excellent guiding inside the shrine grounds.

Inside the gate, visitors are greeted by “Nagi no ki”, an 800-year-old conifer tree, which is considered to be an important natural monument of Japan. Inside the main grounds, the structures are all painted the same bright colors as the entrance gate and there were many worshippers making offerings and praying.

Caption: Worshippers continue to make the pilgrimage to this sacred site.

Kyoko-san continued to explain key details and she was a perfect guide for the day. The last spot on our tour was a set of impressive stone tablets that told the story of the shrine. It had been an amazing day on the Kumano River and at one of Japan’s most sacred spots. I thanked Kyoko-san for making history come alive for me with her passionate story telling and inspired explanations of ancient Japanese life.

Caption: Kyoko-san made sure it was an informative and enjoyable tour.

For visitors who want to have a unique experience that combines nature, history and tradition, this tour is a must. The Kumano River Cruise will not disappoint and, with Tanigami-san and Kyoko-san as your hosts, it will be a memorable day.

KUMANO RIVER CRUISE AND MANDALA – SECRETSOF PILGRIMAGE

http://www.za.ztv.ne.jp/w58yd3jb/index.html

http://kumanokodo.info/net.php

 

Kumano River Experience School

TEL:+81-735-21-0314

e-mail:w58yd3jb＠za.ztv.ne.jp

 

<Duration>

Around 3 hours

- Starts at 13:00 (can be adjusted)

- 1 hour river cruise (30 minutes eachway)

- 1 hour mandala and sandanbopresentation

- 1 hour visit to Kumano HayatamaTaisha Shrine