UNEME FESTIVAL
- José Carlos Gómez Delgado
- Sep 30, 2017
- 1 min read
The Uneme Festival takes place in Sarusawa Ike Pond in Octorber, in mid-autumn's full moon night. The sanctuary Uneme Jinja was built to comfort the soul of Uneme, courtesan who committed suicide by drowning in the pond after losing the favor of the emperor. This is why this sanctuary is almost hidden in the northwest corner , with its torii at the opposite side, unable to bear the sorrow of facing the pond.
Rows of paper lanterns surround the pond. A parade leaves Nara Station at 5 pm. The young girl elected as annual personification of Uneme (chosen in Koriyama, Nara's sister city) walks the streets besides children carrying fans decorated with flowers. After dark, Miss Uneme and the children, acompanied by women wearing kimono, get on boats with dragon heads on its bow, and navigate the pond at torchlight and wrapped in clouds of smoke. Finally fans are offered to the pond, leaving them floating on the surface.
As always, the vicinity are filled with stalls where you can buy all kinds of typical food and drinks.
This year the festival is held on October 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.
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