Blunt arrows bring shot signal the end of another year's Setsubun festivities.

In dramatic poses the oni admit defeat and are chased from the stage.

In dramatic poses the oni admit defeat and are chased from the stage.

Priests carry packets of lucky roasted soy beans, ready to be tossed into the eager crowd.

And just like that the poor oni are defeated for another year👋

#Kyoto #京都 #Setsubun #節分 #Japan #Rozanji #廬山寺 #鬼踊り #onidance #spring

Rozan-ji's 'Genji-no-tei', created in honour of Murasaki Shikibu (who may have been born close to the current temple).

Rozan-ji's 'Genji-no-tei'.

Rozan-ji's 'Genji-no-tei'.

Rozan-ji's 'Genji-no-tei'.

Rozan-ji's 'Genji-no-tei' (源氏庭) was designed in 1965, inspired by Heian period gardens. Kikyō offer the only real colour.
White gravel is shaped into a pattern known as 'Genji Kumogata' (源氏雲形), imitating the gold clouds seen on 'The Tale of Genji' scrolls.

#源氏物語 #TheTaleofGenji #Rozanji #廬山寺

Rozan-ji's 'Tsuina-shiki Oni-no-Hōraku' (追儺式鬼法楽 'Driving Out Demons through Piety') ends as most Setsubun celebrations do with the oni cast out.

Arrows are symbolically 'fired' in all directions to dispel misfortune for the year ahead.

#oniodori #onidance #Kyoto #Rozanji

The red oni at the 'Oni Odori'. Japanese oni (a kind of Japanese ogre or demon) are typically naked save for a tiger skin loincloth.

Parade of the oni at Rozan-ji. Each oni carries a different weapon.

Before dancing, the oni parade menacingly with weapons raised.

The red oni carries a burning torch...a mean feat when you consider the actor's vision is heavily impaired by a mask.

Although oni are a common sight at Setsubun, Rozan-ji (廬山寺) has an origin story for its own 3 demons.

When the temple's founder, Ryōgen (良源 912-85), was in training he was bothered by 3 troublesome oni (or spirits, depending on what version of the tale you read).

#Rozanji #鬼踊り #oniodori #Japan

The red oni sybolises greed and desire.

The green oni represents ill-will and anger.

The black oni symbolises ignorance and folly.

The 3 oni symbolise the 3 Buddhist kleshas...mental states that cloud the mind and poison the heart.

The 3 colours of the oni symbolize the 'sandoku' (三毒 the '3 kleshas'). In Buddhism kleshas are mental states that cloud the mind, poison the heart, and manifest in unwholesome actions.

❤️ = greed and desire (貪欲)
💚 = ill-will and anger (瞋恚)
🖤 = ignorance and folly (愚痴)

#Rozanji #廬山寺 #Kyoto #京都 #鬼