EVENT | Mikisakata Performs a Dedicatory Concert at Izumo Taisha's "Heisei Grand Rebuilding"

EVENT | Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine's "Heisei Great Reconstruction" Celebration

Mikisakata's Performance and Kanako Mikado's Shinobue Flute Weave "Kakyokai"

Currently, the once-in-60-years Heisei Great Reconstruction is underway at Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. In conjunction with this, celebratory events, ranging from traditional kagura dances and performances to casual concerts, are being held daily. On Friday, May 31st,OPENERS Bloga special performance will be held by musicianMikisakata, who also participates in OPENERS, and shinobue flutist Kanako Mikado, titled "Kakyokai".

Text by IWANAGA Morito (OPENERS)

A National Event Once Every 60 Years

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It enshrines Okuninushi-no-Okami, who is worshipped as the god of nation-building, agriculture, commerce, and more. It is also famous as a deity of matchmaking, and many people visit each year seeking good fortune in relationships.

2013 marks the year of the reconstruction of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. A reconstruction, or sengu, is a ritual in which the sacred object is moved from its original location, the shrine buildings undergo major repairs, and the deity is then re-enshrined. By visiting the deity, whose power is further amplified by the relocation, attendees can reflect on their own origins and receive the power to be reborn and form new connections.

While the reconstruction of many shrines occurs once every 20 years, the reconstruction of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine happens a remarkable once every 60 years. If you miss this opportunity, you may never see it again. To celebrate this, various events will be held from May through the end of the year.

This time, musician Mikisakata, who has close ties with OPENERS, will perform a dedication ceremony using the "psalta," an ancient Greek instrument known as the ancestor of the harp, alongside shinobue flutist Kanako Mikado. The performance, named "Kakyokai," is a new composition by Mikisakata, and it is said to carry the wish for the resonance of the psalta, rich in overtones, and the shinobue flute to echo to the heavens.

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine "Heisei Great Reconstruction" Celebration Event
Dedication Performance "Kakyokai"
Date | Friday, May 31st
Time | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Performers | Mikisakata, Kanako Mikado
Venue | Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, Aragaki-nai
195 Kishiki-higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture
7-minute walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway Line

Secretariat of the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine "Heisei Great Reconstruction" Celebration Project Executive Committee
Tel. 0853-53-8510
http://izumooyashiro-daisengu.jp/houshuku_05.html