Projection Mapping 2024, a projection mapping of Heian Picture Scrolls at the National Historic Site Saigu Site, produced by HITOHATA,INC., was held on 2 (Sat) and 3 (Sun) November 2024 at Saiku Heian no Mori (Meiwa-machi, Taki County, Mie Prefecture). (Organised by the town of Meiwa).

The festival was held as part of the Saiku Culture and Art Festival held for the first time in 2024, and was held in the main, east and west halls of the Saiku Heian no Mori, located on the Saiku Site, a National Historic Site, where the Saio lived in the past. A majestic projection mapping image was projected in the Saioh Wakiwaki Hall, including digital animations based on motifs from cultural artworks associated with the Saioh family.

Outline of event

[Name] National Historic Site Saiku Heian Emaki Projection Mapping 2024

[Dates] November 2 (Saturday.) and 3 (Sun.), 2024, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

*Approximately 7 minutes of content will be projected continuously with an intermission of approximately 4 minutes.

[Venue] Saiku Heian no Mori (2800 Saingu, Meiwa-machi, Taki-gun, Mie Prefecture)

[Detail] The Saiku Culture and Art Festival will be held for the first time in 2024 as part of the Saiku Culture and Art Festival, and will include the Saio Gunkyo Emaki, the Tale of Ise Illustrated Screens, the Tale of Genji Emaki, the Tale of Genji Shikishi Shikkou Byobu and the Twelve Devas, all of which are associated with the Saiku family. The projection of majestic projection mapping images, including digital animations based on the cultural art motifs of the ‘Tale of Genji Shikishi Paste Folding Screen’, were projected.

[Admission] 500 yen (free for elementary school students and younger), no advance reservations required.

[Organizer] Meiwa Town

[Operation] Meiwa Kanko Shosha (General Incorporated Association)

[Cooperation] Saiku Historical Museum, Japan Heritage Utilisation Promotion Council, National Historic Site Saiku Ruins Preservation Association

[Planning and production] HITOHATA,INC.

SAIKU CULTURAL ART FESTIVAL 2024

The Saiku Cultural Art Festival is an international art festival that showcases local culture and art in the nationally designated historic site of Saiku, a historical and cultural heritage site in the town of Meiwa, Mie Prefecture.

Against the backdrop of the rich history and climate of the ancient Saigu, a diverse programme of contemporary art, traditional performing arts and music will be presented. The festival also showcases local traditional culture, crafts and creative activities by artists, providing a unique experience that blends the history of Saigu with contemporary art.

Visitors can enjoy the ‘Art Programme’ for a visual experience of art art, the ‘Cultural Experience Programme’ for learning through the experience of wearing the juni-hitoe kimono and creating artworks, and the ‘Food Programme’ for a culinary experience inspired by the Heian Period, when the Saiku were at their most prosperous.

Outline of the event

[Name] Saiku Culture and Arts Festival 2024

[Period] 16 September (Mon., holiday) - 15 December (Sun.), 2024　

[Venue] Saiku Heian no Mori (2800 Saiku, Meiwa-machi, Taki County, Mie Prefecture), etc.

For details of each programme, please see the website.

https://www.hana-meiwa.jp/

[Organization] Meiwa Town

What are Saiku and Saio?

The Saiku, associated with the Ise Jingu shrine in Mie Prefecture, was the capital of the Saio, an unmarried imperial princess who served Amaterasu at the Ise Jingu shrine on behalf of the Emperor for over 660 years from the Asuka period to the end of the Kamakura period.

Three Heian-period buildings, known as the Saigu-Ryocho, have been restored by ancient architecture at the site of the Saiku in Meiwa-machi, Mie Prefecture, the only place in Japan where the Saiku existed, and which has been protected as sacred land by the local people.

The Saio, said to have numbered more than 60, spent their days in prayer at the Saiku, away from their families and farewell to their lives in the capital until the Emperor was replaced. Some of them were forbidden to fall in love and had to break up with their lovers because they were serving the gods.