Date and time:
2019-03-07 15:40 - 2019-03-07 16:30
Location:
VDU Didžiosios salės foje, S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas
During the VMU Asian Week we invite you to meet Nobuya Miyata, who is also known as “Mikoshi Guy”.
The grandfather of Nobuya Miyata was making and restoring mikoshi temples, overseeing the local temple in Kamakura, where the district community celebration is being held every year. Since the young age Nobuya has helped his grandmother to organize mikoshi carrying rituals. After his grandfather passed away, Nobuya Miyata took over the traditions of restoration. Together with the local community he is organizing local temple events during which mikoshi is being carried, he actively promotes mikoshi culture in Japan and abroad. During the festivals he also teaches to dance traditional Japanese dances, such as bon odori.
In order to spread mikoshi culture abroad in 2014 Nobuya Miyata donated mikoshi temple crafted by his grandfather to organization in France. Since then, each summer this temple travels through several European countries (France, Germany, Slovenia) and, together with Nobuya and the local Japanese enthusiasts, bring joy to locals during various festivals. The great enthusiasm and desire to preserve this element of Japanese culture does not leave indifferent – Nobuya Miyata is gathering an ever-growing group of like-minded people. At the end of March this year, dir. Toshi Inomata’s documentary film “Mikoshi guy” about Nobuya and his efforts to spread mikoshi culture will premiere.
In the future, Nobuya promises to include Lithuania in mikoshi temple route, therefore he is gradually seeking to introduce mikoshi culture to Lithuanians.
During the Asian Week, a smaller temple will be presented. This temple was donated to the Japanese garden in Kretinga district by the community of second Minami Rokugo district community (Tokyo city, Ota distric). Nobuya Miyata, specifically coming from Japan to Asian week, promises to touch all with his energy!
You can read more about Nobuya Miyata “Mikoshi Guy” here: https://www.facebook.com/mikoshiguy/