Begging for forgiveness - Kikoden

It is also called "Kikkoden." It is the prototype of the Tanabata Festival and is an event held on July 7th. The legend that the two stars, Kengyu and Shokujo, cross the Milky Way to enjoy their annual rendezvous was introduced from China, and combined with the belief in Princess Tanabata in Japan, it became a festival to pray for girls to improve their handicrafts such as weaving. There are several poems about it in the Manyoshu, but it is clear that it was held from the time of Empress Jito (reigned 686-697). During the Heian period, it was held in the Imperial Court and in the homes of aristocrats. In the Imperial Court, a desk was placed in the garden of Seiryoden, a lamp was set up, offerings were made, incense was burned all night, and the Emperor went to the stone in the garden to pray for the two stars to meet. The Tale of the Heike also tells of how in the mansions of aristocrats, prayers for success in the arts, such as sewing, poetry, and dyeing and weaving, were written on paper stalks.

[Yutaka Yamanaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

「きっこうでん」ともいう。七夕(たなばた)祭の原型で、7月7日の行事。牽牛(けんぎゅう)・織女(しょくじょ)の二星が天の川を渡って1年一度の逢瀬(おうせ)を楽しむ、という伝説が中国から伝わり、わが国の棚機(たなばた)姫の信仰と結合して、女子が機織(はたおり)など手芸が上達することを願う祭になった。『万葉集』に数首歌われているが、持統(じとう)天皇（在位686～697）のころから行われたことは明らかである。平安時代には、宮中をはじめ貴族の家でも行われた。宮中では清涼殿の庭に机を置き、灯明を立てて供物を供え、終夜香をたき、天皇は庭の倚子(いし)に出御し、二星会合を祈ったという。貴族の邸(やしき)では、二星会合と裁縫や詩歌、染織など、技芸が巧みになるようにとの願いを梶(かじ)の葉に書きとどめたことなども『平家物語』にみえる。

［山中　裕］

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