Meiwa-cho, Mie: An Ancient Legend Comes to Life
Episode 17 · 2017-07-11
- Documentary
Episode overview
Until about 700 years ago, princesses from Japan's imperial family were sent to act as high priestesses at Ise Jingu, the ancient shrine that is considered the most sacred site in Japan's Shinto religion. These servants of the deities were known as Saio and the place where they lived was known as Saiku. In the 14th century, the site was abandoned and eventually it was only known from the ancient legends. But in 1970 excavations began, which confirmed that Saiku stood in the modern-day town of Meiwa-cho, in Mie Prefecture. In this edition of Journeys in Japan, Felicia Gonzalez visits Meiwa-cho to explore this legendary site. She observes the annual Saio Festival, in which people dress in period costume. And she meets the people of this town where present-day culture meets ancient history and the people take pride in the traditions of the past.
28 minutes
Season 8 episodes
1. Koza: A Rhythm All Its Own2017-01-31
2. Ogawayama: A Rock Climber's Paradise2017-02-07
3. Niseko: Snowy Adventures2017-02-14
4. Suruga Bay: The Bounty of the Deep2017-02-21
5. Tokoname: City of Ceramics Past and Present2017-02-28
6. Ibaraki: Savoring Winter Flavors2017-03-07
7. Hokkaido: Sculpting Winter's Ice and Snow2017-04-04
8. Mt. Norikuradake: A Peak Winter Experience2017-04-11
9. Odate: The Land of the Akita Inu2017-04-18
10. Oya, Utsunomiya: Stone Town & Quarry Ruins Tour2017-04-25
11. Nagoya: Samurai Warlord Chronicles2017-05-02
12. Hakuba: Off Piste to a Hidden Hot Spring2017-05-09
13. Nara: Ancient Sanctuary for all Living Creatures2017-05-30
14. Monobe, Kochi: Tales from the Magical Mountain Hamlet2017-06-20
15. Manazuru: Good Living by Design2017-06-27
16. Nanyo, Ehime: Water for Life and Fun2017-07-04
17. Meiwa-cho, Mie: An Ancient Legend Comes to Life2017-07-11
18. Mount Daisen: Mystical Rites, Local Life2017-07-18
19. Murayama, Yamagata: Local Delicacies, Local Pride2017-07-25
20. Tottori: Sculpted by Nature2017-08-01
21. Deep into the Unspoiled Forest: Shirakami Sanchi2017-08-08
22. Yonaguni: Wild West Escapades2017-08-15
23. Obuse, Nagano: Walking and Running for Fun2017-08-22
24. Taisetsuzan: Summer Alpine Discoveries2017-09-12
25. Kochi's Summertime Fever: The Yosakoi!2017-09-19
26. Awa Odori Festival: Spirited Away in Tokushima2017-09-26
27. Yanai: Old Town of Goldfish Lanterns2017-10-03
28. Nagara River: Pristine Beauty, Waterborne Bounty2017-10-10
29. Minami-Izu: Unspoiled Seaside Getaway2017-10-17
30. A River Runs Through Hokkaido2017-10-24
31. Kagoshima: The Taste and Style of "Kuro" Culture2017-11-07
32. Kikuma, Ehime: Pride and Pageantry2017-11-21
33. Togakushi: Autumn Hues at a Sacred Mountain2017-11-28
34. Passage of Time: Lake Towada in Autumn2017-12-05
35. Karatsu: Festival Floats, Deep Community Spirit2017-12-12
