Overview

The Saiō Matsuri (Saiō Festival) is a festival held in June each year in Meiwa Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture, that recreates the elegance of the Heian court. Meiwa Town is known as the site of the "Saikū," where the "Saiō"—an imperial princess who once served at the Grand Shrine of Ise—lived, and the festival is held to commemorate the history of this land.

The festival's greatest highlight is the "Saiō Gunkō," a procession recreating the Saiō's journey to Ise. With a woman playing the role of the Saiō, clad in a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono (jūnihitoe), at its center, a large procession in Heian-period costume advances solemnly, with an elegance that captivates visitors as though they had traveled back to the Heian era. It is a representative early-summer event of Meiwa Town, in which history and tradition live on.

History and Origins

The Saiō was an unmarried imperial princess who served at the Grand Shrine of Ise on behalf of the emperor. This system was established in the Asuka period and is said to have continued for roughly 660 years until it came to an end in the Nanboku-chō period. The princess chosen as Saiō left the capital and went down to the land of Ise (the Saikū), spending pure days serving the deity. The Saikū was the place where the Saiō lived and presided over rites, and at its height it is said to have been a major facility staffed by many officials, with its remains spread across the present-day area of Meiwa Town.

The Saiō Matsuri was created to carry on the history of the Saikū and the Saiō as a source of regional pride and to convey it widely. It is said to have begun in 1983 at the suggestion of a local women's association, and since then it has continued every year as a representative festival of Meiwa Town. The endeavor of reviving the ancient system and the life of the Saiō in the present day has developed in step with the excavation and maintenance of the Saikū ruins as a historic site. Note that there are also various scholarly theories regarding the details and dating of the Saiō system, and this provides an overview based on the principal traditions.

Highlights

The Saiō Gunkō Procession

The centerpiece of the festival is the "Saiō Gunkō," which recreates the journey the Saiō made from the capital to Ise. A woman selected as the Saiō, for example through public application, dons a gorgeous twelve-layered kimono and advances slowly together with a palanquin and procession. The attendants too wear Heian-period costumes according to their roles, and the sight of colorful garments in a long line is a magnificent court scroll come to life. From the roadside, visitors can enjoy up close a scene as if they had slipped back in time to the Heian period.

The Splendor of Heian Costumes

The costumes that appear in the Saiō Gunkō reflect the court culture of the Heian period, and the beauty of their colors and layering is well worth seeing. The elegance of garments such as the jūnihitoe conveys Japan's traditional sense of beauty and is popular with photography enthusiasts as well.

The Atmosphere of the Historic Saikū

The area of the Saikū ruins, which serves as the festival venue, has been developed with reconstructed buildings and a vast historic-site park, so visitors can enjoy the festival while sensing an ancient atmosphere. The distinctive charm lies in the unity of the historical space and the recreation of the court scroll.

Event Information and Access

The Saiō Matsuri is held in June each year (often on a Saturday or Sunday). The venue is the area around the Saikū ruins in Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture. The program and the time and route of the Saiō Gunkō vary from year to year, and the content may change in bad weather, so when planning to attend it is advisable to check official information in advance.

For access, the nearest station is "Saikū Station" on the Kintetsu Yamada Line, with historic sites and the venue spread around the station. From the Nagoya and Osaka directions, one can visit using the Kintetsu line. As the surrounding area is expected to be crowded on the festival day, using public transportation is recommended. Please confirm the latest schedule and transportation information through official announcements from Meiwa Town and tourism-related organizations.

Nearby Attractions

Around the venue there are facilities where one can learn about the history of the Saiō and the Saikū, such as the "Saikū Historical Museum" and the "Itsuki no Miya Hall of History and Hands-on Experience." Through reconstructed Heian-period buildings and exhibits of excavated artifacts, visitors can deepen their understanding of the history behind the festival.

In addition, Meiwa Town is close to the Grand Shrine of Ise, and a short trip away one can enjoy a visit to Ise and food to eat while walking in Okage Yokocho. Mie Prefecture is also rich in culinary appeal, such as seafood and Matsusaka beef, so combining the Saiō Matsuri with sightseeing in the Ise-Shima area is also recommended.

Related Information

The Saikū ruins are designated a national historic site and are known as precious remains that convey the ancient Saiō system to the present day. The Saiō Matsuri has become a presence symbolizing the identity of Meiwa Town as a festival in which the community as a whole commemorates the history of this historic site.

Please note that the details and dating of the Saiō system, as well as the route of the procession, differ depending on research and operation, and this article provides an overview based on the principal traditions and general features. Because the specific dates and content of the event change from year to year, please be sure to check the latest official information before visiting.

Saiō Matsuri