The Gods of Sumiyoshi Shrine　Moon-Viewing Festival (held around Sept. 21) The Moon-Viewing Festival is held each year on the day of the harvest moon in the month of Chushu, the eighth month of the lunar calendar. After the ceremony is performed in the First Main Hall at 6:00PM, as the sun sets, haiku and waka poems are recited on the arched bridge at the shrine, followed by an offering of bugaku (dance and music) that includes the Sumiyoshi Dance, a noted part of the Otaue Shinji Festival, as performed by Garyokai, the Tennoji bugaku preservation troupe. Decorated with offerings to the moon, such as flowers and other items, and hanging paper lanterns, in fair weather the bridge acts as a stage. In other words, all sorts of moon-viewing events are conducted on the bridge. From below it, one can look up at the bridge and the full moon in the sky and experience a subtle and profound scene. Sumiyoshi Dance Click on the photograph. You'll be able to watch the movie. 　 The Sumiyoshi Dance is a famous part of the Otaue Shinji Festival, held each year on June 14, but at the Moon-Viewing Festival, the dance is performed on top of the arched bridge. With bell-studded fans in their hands, and bamboo hats and straw sandals, the young dancers jump, skip and spin around. Each time they move, the bells ring, creating a lovely and gorgeous sight. Incidentally, the distinctive part of the dance that involves jumping on one leg is meant to express the shape of the kanji (Chinese character) for "heart" and the fans they hold are supposed to keep insects off the rice plants. In the center stands a man who holds a long-handled umbrella and leads the chorus. As he keeps time by hitting a piece of bamboo against the handle, he sings a tuneful melody: (Ee!)/Lord Sumiyoshi's/(Iyahoe!) Shrine of Settsu-Naniwa/Sumiyoshi, that exalted name Look at that charming dance/Too long in Heaven, too long since he's been on Earth May peace reign throughout the land/May the producers of grain flourish Let a sign of his peaceful reign/Move our hearts as one In closing, may Sumiyoshi bring peace and joy/And with them, his great healing powers Auspicious are the Himematsu trees along the coast (Ee!)/Lord Sumiyoshi's/(Iyahoe!) The dancers join the leader in chorus to sing out the "Iya-ho-e!" shouts. But don't forget, the stage is an arched bridge with a steep incline. Walking up it is difficult enough, is it really safe for these people to be jumping and skipping and spinning around on it? There's no need to worry. These dancers have used the bridge as their jungle gym, climbing and playing on it, ever since they were small children.