Kikkasai (Chrysanthemum Festival) at Itsukushima Shrine

Held every October 15 at 17:00 at Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this rite begins with an offering of chrysanthemums before the main hall to pray for health and protection from misfortune, after which priests change into dance attire to perform bugaku court dances. The program includes Shinboko, Manzairaku, Enkiraku, Kaden, Ikkyoku, Soriko, Sanju, Kitoku, Ryo-o and Nasori, closing with Choge-shi. This bugaku tradition is said to have been brought to Itsukushima Shrine by Taira no Kiyomori from Shitennoji Temple in Osaka during the late Heian period and is still performed in its original form. Set against the backdrop of the floating great torii gate and shrine halls, it is one of the signature autumn events at Miyajima.