Approximately 600 years ago, Buddhist nuns known as 'Bikuni' travelled the countryside, both to collect donations to pay for repairs to the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and to attract more worshipers to the Kumano area. They carried pictorial drawings, called "mandala", which depicted heaven and hell together with the four other dimensions that exist between. It is said that these nuns used these mandala drawings as to help them explain to their audiences about the cycle of birth and death, the afterlife, and salvation in the Kumano faith. Today, storytellers recreate the authentic feeling of the Kumano Mandala Pictorial Guide by dressing in the traditional clothing of the Bikuni nuns. In addition to sessions held regularly at the Kawaraya Yokocho Store Alley, they also provide on-site services, available by advance booking.
Place : Kawaraya Yokocho Store Alley (Funamachi 1-2-1, Shingu) [Google Maps]
Date: Sundays and public holidays
Time: 10:30-12:00
Price: Free
Type(s) of Mandala Shown: Shingu Pilgrimage Mandala
Hosted by: Shingu City Tourist Association
Performed by: Shingu City Tourist Association Registered Guide
Time required : 5-10 minutes
Shingu Pilgrimage Mandala
Inquiries for Kawaraya Pictorial Guide should be directed to:
Shingu City Tourist Association TEL：0735-22-2840/FAX:0735-22-2842
Place: Your preferred place
Date: Your preferred date
Time: Your preferred time
Price: 5000 yen (2 drawings), 8000 yen (4 Drawings)
Type of Drawings : Shingu Pilgrimage Mandala, Nachi Pilgrimage Mandala, Hongu Pilgrimage Mandala, Kumano Introspection Ten Worlds Mandala
Hosting : Shingu City Tour Guide Association
Performers : Shingu City Tour Guide Association
Time required : 2 Drawings : 20 minutes 4 Drawings : 40 minutes
*Date, time and place can be chosen and reserved as per your request.
Reservation and inquiries for Delivery Pictorial Guide ;
Shingu City Tourist Association TEL ： 0735-22-2840
The Kumano Bikuni were a group of nuns who played an important role in spreading the Kumano faith throughout Japan from the 16th to 18th centuries. They walked around the country, carrying the Kumano Introspection Ten Worlds Mandala and Nachi Pilgrimage Mandala. Using these pictures, they preached to many people about the Buddhist world and the concepts surrounding the Kumano faith.
Place: Your preferred place
Date: Your preferred date
Time: Your preferred time
Price: 10,000 yen
Time required : Approximately 30 minutes for 2 drawings (Kumano Introspection Ten Worlds Mandala, Nachi Pilgrimage Mandala)
Pictorial Guide in English Reservations and Inquiries
