Shurijo Castle Park New Year’s 2010 (Part I)

I went to Shurijo Castle Park to see the New Year’s Celebration on January 2.

This traditional “New Year’s Ceremony” was originally held early in the morning of New Year’s Day in the Ryukyu Dynasty.  The Ryukyu King, royal princes, aji local chieftains, sanshikan three ministers, the other royal government officials attended this solemn Chinese-style ritual conducted in Chinese language.   

“Shurijo Castle Park New Year’s Celebration” is a re-enactment of this event and established in three parts.  

In Lower Courtyard, ladies wearing Ryukyu kimono offer visitors hot jasmine tea and amazake fermented rice drink (nonalcoholic).  

8:25 to 8:30 Opening of the Gate Ceremony (Ukejo)

5 minutes before the opening Shurijo Castle Park, in front of the Hoshinmon Gate, the entrance to the State Hall, the staff welcomes visitors, beating gongs and shouting “ukejo.” 

When you go into the Una forecourt, you can see an alter. How flamboyant it is!  Before New Year’s Ceremony starts, why don’t I take a picture of it up close?  Click!

8:30 to 8:50 Uzagaku Live Classical Music Performance

Uzagaku is a kind of chamber music from the Ryukyu Kingdom and included Ming and Qing vocal and instrumental music. Uzagaku was performed to entertain Chinese investiture envoys visiting Shuri Castle and when Ryukyuan missions went up to Edo to dispatch “Keigashi” envoys to congratulate the enthronement of Shogun Tokugawa and “Shaonshi” envoys to pay respects for the enthronement of Ryukyuan king.  

New Year’s Ceremony (Chohai Okishiki)

10:00 to 10:25 Part 1 “Ninufanuunufe”

This ritual is to pray to the gods, celebrate new year, and pray for peace.  The Ryukyu King and royal family, high-ranking officials and ministers as well as local community leaders attended this national ceremony.  

All the officials clap their hands in prayer toward the King and the Queen in the State Hall, bowing their heads.  

Uzagaku blares through the forecourt as the King and the Queen appear.  

In front of an alter set in front of the Hokuden, the King and his officers light incense and make an obeisance in a northern direction toward the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Everybody picks up on lead of Chagushi (chief clerk) shouting “Wan Sui!,” which is a Chinese language meaning “Hail to you! (banzai!)”

The King goes back to the State Hall after lighting incense three times.