Shōryōe is a memorial service held every April 22nd at Shitennō-ji, Osaka's oldest temple founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 AD, honouring the prince on his death anniversary. The centrepiece is a magnificent outdoor Bugaku performance—Japan's ancient imperial court dance—staged on a vermilion ceremonial platform in the temple's stone garden. The event is considered the oldest continually performed Bugaku programme in Japan, with some dances tracing back over 1,400 years. The stone torii gate, rare for a Buddhist temple, and the ancient stone garden create an extraordinary ritual atmosphere.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Spring
- Month
- April 22
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Osaka
- City
- Osaka
Highlights
- ◆Japan's oldest surviving outdoor Bugaku court dance performance
- ◆Held at Osaka's founding temple, Shitennō-ji, established in 593 AD
- ◆Vermilion ceremonial stage set within the ancient stone garden
- ◆Dances and costumes maintaining 1,400-year-old traditions
- ◆Unique sacred atmosphere combining Buddhist and imperial court culture