Approximately 600 years ago, a nun called Bikuni travelled the countryside carrying pictures of the “Mandala” for the purpose of collecting donations that were needed to cover the expenses of repairing the Kumano Sanzan, and attracting worshipers to Kumano. It is said that she talked about how humans were born and died, or of the relief after death, using pictorial drawings depicting heaven and hell together with the four other worlds that exist between heaven and hell. These days, the storyteller guide recreates the Kumano Mandala Pictorial Guide while dressed in the costume of Bikuni. In addition to the regular guides at the Kawaraya Yokocho Store Alley, they also provide on-site services, which need to be booked in advance.
Place : Kawaraya Yokocho Store Alley (Funamachi1-2-1, Shingu) [GoogleMap]
Date : Every Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Time : 10:30-12:00
Fare : Free
Type of Drawings : Shingu Sankei Mandara-zu
Sponsorship : Shingu City Tourist Association
Performers : Shingu-shi ｔour guide Association
Time required : 5-10 minutes
Shingu Sankei Mandara-zu
Inquiries for Kawaraya Pictorial Guide ;
Shingu Tourist Information Office TEL/FAX ： 0735-23-2311
Place : Designated place
Date : Designated day
Time : Designated time
Fare : 2 Drawings : 5000 yen 4 Drawings : 8000 yen
Type of Drawings : Shingu Sankei Mandara-zu, Nachi Sankei Mandara-zu, Hongu Sankei Mandara-zu, Kumanokanjinjukaizu
Sponsorship : Shingu-shi tour guide Association
Performers : Shingu-shi tour guide Association
Time required : 2 Drawings : 20 minutes 4 Drawings : 40 minutes
Reservation and inquiries for Delivery Pictorial Guide ;
Shingu Tourist Information Office TEL ： 0735-23-2311
Place : Designated place
Date : Designated day
Time : Designated time
Fare : 5000 yen
Time required : 30 minutes
Reservation and inquiries for Pictorial Guide in English ;
