There is a legend that Kibi no Makibi, the great figure after whom Mabi was named, returned to his hometown in his later years and played the koto atop a huge rock overlooking the Oda River on the night of the Harvest Moon.
The rock is called “Kotohiki Rock.”
To honor Kibi no Makibi near Kotohiki Rock, a festival called the “Dankin Festival” is held every year on the Saturday closest to the Harvest Moon.
The festival was canceled in 2018 due to the heavy rains in July 2018, but it was held in 2019 in response to requests from residents of the Kurese district of Mabi.
Here is a look at this elegant festival, held at a spot overlooking the tranquil Oda River.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in September 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the Dankin Festival honoring Kibi no Makibi
The Dankin Festival is an annual event in the Kurese district, held around the time of the Harvest Moon to honor Kibi no Makibi.
It has been held almost every year since 1949. Koto and shakuhachi are played atop Kotohiki Rock, where legend says Kibi no Makibi played the koto in his later years.
Along the river nearby, the festival features a performance by Kibi no Makibi Taiko and food stalls run mainly by local residents.
The 71st Dankin Festival honoring Kibi no Makibi
The 71st Dankin Festival honoring Kibi no Makibi was held on Saturday, September 14, 2019, the day after the Harvest Moon.
It took place on Kotohiki Rock and its surroundings along the Oda River, in the Mabi-cho Se and Sarukake districts on the western side of Mabi.
The day brought clear skies without a cloud, and the full moon could be seen after sunset.
Festival rites at Kotohiki Rock
The event began at 5 p.m. with greetings from the chair of the Dankin Festival organizing committee and Kurashiki City Mayor Kaori Ito.
Flowers were offered at the altar enshrining Kibi no Makibi.
Then came a koto and shakuhachi performance atop Kotohiki Rock.
Listening to the gentle sounds of the koto and shakuhachi while watching the sun set behind the mountains and gazing at the tranquil Oda River made it feel as though we had traveled far back in time.
The residents of the district were captivated by the elegant melodies, and applause broke out at the end.
The koto is said to have been brought to Japan from Tang China by Japanese envoys around 1,300 years ago, during the Nara period.
I wonder what Kibi no Makibi was thinking as he played. It is fascinating to imagine.
Food stalls and stage performances around Kotohiki Rock
Food stalls lined the riverbank near Kotohiki Rock, and a variety of dance performances were presented on stage.
As the sun set, more and more people began to gather.
At the 71st Dankin Festival honoring Kibi no Makibi, free tea was served to the first 50 visitors.
Elementary school students dressed in yukata prepared matcha and warmly welcomed the visitors who had gathered.
It was deeply moving to see the tea culture being passed down to today’s young children.
Kibi no Makibi Taiko
The Kibi no Makibi Taiko performance began shortly after 6 p.m.
The local Mabi taiko group, Kibi no Makibi Taiko, gave a powerful, rhythmic performance.
We were overwhelmed by the many nonstop performances: shouts of “Ha!,” both hands swinging from side to side while holding the drumsticks, and the sound of the drums beating faster and faster.
Soran Bushi performed by students of Kurese Elementary School
The venue, which had been bright, grew dark as the sun nearly set.
The red lanterns were lit.
The boys of Kurese Elementary School performed the traditional Soran Bushi dance.
They danced energetically and crisply, striking poses with their bodies lowered and then looking up toward the sky.
The andon (traditional paper lanterns) made by elementary school students and set up around the venue were lit, too.
We also saw parents walking around, searching and saying, “I wonder which one my child made.”
Food Stalls
We also took a look at the food stalls run mainly by volunteers from the Kurese area.
Smoke billowed up, the air filled with the aroma of sauce, and lines of festivalgoers formed.
The stalls offered yakitori, shaved ice, crepes, yakisoba, Bukkake udon, and more.
As I gazed at the beautiful sky, its colors fading from blue to red, I enjoyed a beef tongue skewer.
Koto Performance
The koto performance began shortly before 7 p.m.
Along the Oda River, the beautiful tones of the koto blended with the chirping of bell crickets, and we couldn't help sighing at the beauty of hearing traditional Japanese instruments performed amid nature.
“I think there are fewer opportunities to experience traditional Japanese instruments these days, but I hope occasions like this will help people discover their appeal, even just a little,” one of the performers said.
Kagura Performance
To close the festival, the Soja troupe performed kagura.
Kagura is a traditional performing art passed down since ancient times. It is danced to appease the local guardian deity and to pray for abundant harvests and good health for parishioners and others connected to the area by community or family ties.
Believe it or not, these two are brothers in third and fifth grade!
They had only been learning kagura for about seven months, but we were amazed by how perfectly in sync they were as they danced to the drums.
Then came the dance of Okuninushi no Mikoto.
Okuninushi no Mikoto appeared in a dazzling costume, holding a fan and a small mallet.
At last, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: time to toss the sweets known as “seeds of good fortune.”
Adults and children gathered near the stage, reaching out to catch the sweets!
“I got one!” and “Yes!” rang out from all around, and the crowd was thoroughly excited.
From the Writer
It was an evening spent admiring the beauty of the autumn sky as the day drew to a close, while taking in the lush natural scenery of Mabi.
It was my first time visiting for a report, and the view of the Oda River from Kotohiki Rock was beautiful from every angle. The sounds of the koto and shakuhachi soothed me, making me lose track of time.
The effects of the July 2018 heavy rains remain deeply visible throughout Mabi, and recovery is still underway.
Still, some people said, “We’ll be back in Mabi again before the end of this year,” and we saw people happily greeting one another with smiles.
Taking part in this annual event in Mabi and experiencing its traditional culture made for a day full of learning.
As I give thanks for the beauty of the autumn full moon, I hope that Mabi will gradually regain its vitality.
71st Kibi no Makibi Dankin Festival Information
| Name | 71st Kibi no Makibi Dankin Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | September 14, 2019 |
| Location | Along the Oda River around Kotohiki Rock, in the Mii and Sarukake areas of Mabi, Kurashiki City |
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