Kyoto is famous for its traditional architecture and festivals. Although the Seiryu-e Dragon Festival held at Kiyomizudera Temple has a short history, its festivities are full of dynamism and fun for all ages.
Kyoto has four guardian deities that protect the city on all four cardinal points. The north is protected by the black tortoise, the west by a white tiger, the south by a vermillion bird and the east by an azure dragon. Called seiryu, the azure dragon calls the Kiyomizu Temple complex home. According to legend, seiryu drinks from the Otawa Waterfall after dark.
Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival
Photo by: PIXTA/ Yukihiro Don’t miss out on this festival if you happen to be in town.
The Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival started in 2000. Performers turn out dressed in costumes representing legendary warriors, and attendants carry staffs topped with ornamental dragons. Beginning from Okuno-in Hall, a procession carrying an 18-meter-long dragon weaves its way through the temple complex and nearby approach to the Kiyomizu area. The festivities end when the procession reaches Sai-mon Gate, a location believed to be an entryway to paradise. Along the way, the members of the march create rhythmic droning sounds with instruments. The purpose of the festival is for seiryu to ward off evil and bad luck.
The Dragon
Photo by: PIXTA/ Yukihiro The azure dragon
The highlight of the procession is the dragon. The elaborately crafted creature was designed by Kyoto native Emi Wada, a Japanese costume designer. With hundreds of scales covering its body from end to end, its body moves organically through the streets. Covered in sutra (Buddhist scripture), its fearsome head is a convincing stand-in for the guardian of the ancient city.
The Seiryu-e Dragon Festival embraces the long-standing historical and cultural relationship between Japan and China. The four guardian deities originated in Chinese mythology and have appeared in records dating back thousands of years. The costumes, too, reflect a mixture of Japanese and Chinese traditions.
