Although I thought the Tanabata Festival and the Wind Chime Festival were separate events, I was surprised to find that many shrines and temples hold a joint festival called the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival. It makes sense since both festivals are held in early summer and share the common practice of hanging strips of paper on bamboo branches, as well as wind chimes. Even the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto holds the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival every year during this season. The sight of wind chimes hanging on both sides of the Kagura stage, with shrine maidens performing sacred dances, is truly a summer tradition. Kamigamo Shrine, located north of Shimogamo Shrine across the Kyoto Botanical Garden, is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Its history is documented in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, but in reality, it remains a shrine full of mysteries and is important for understanding the origins of Japan. As the evening darkens and the cicadas chirp, the sound of wind chimes resonates while watching the Kagura dance performed by the shrine maidens, drawing you into a world of enchantment.

七夕祭りと風鈴祭りは別物と思っていたのですが、七夕風鈴祭りと謳って一緒にお祭りする神社仏閣が多いのにびっくりしました。時期的にも初夏を彩る行事ですし、七夕の笹にも風鈴にも短冊を吊るす共通点があるので納得です。京都の上賀茂神社でも毎年この時期に七夕風鈴祭りが催されます。神楽舞台の両側に風鈴を吊るし、巫女神楽が舞われる光景はまさに夏の風物詩です。上賀茂神社は京都府立植物園を挟んで南にある下鴨神社と合わせて日本でも最古の神社です。日本書紀や古事記にも来歴が書かれていますが、実際には謎だらけの神社で、日本の成り立ちを知る上でも重要な神社です。夕闇が迫り、ヒグラシが鳴く中、風鈴が鳴り、神楽舞曲に合わせて巫女が舞う神楽舞を見ていると、いつしか幻想の世界に誘い込まれます。