Shika no Kuni

[Machine Translation] Deer Country" Blu-ray release! What the boy who was regarded as a living god saw. Without the deer, there can be no rituals. The documentary closely observes the seasonal festivals of Suwa-taisha, one of the oldest shrines in Japan. This documentary film was an exceptionally long-running hit. --In the mysterious festival of Ohohori, a young boy's god of life, and the sacrifice of deer, there is a prayer for the "cycle of life" that had almost been forgotten. This documentary follows the seasonal festivals of Suwa-taisha, one of the oldest shrines in Japan, and recreates the secret rituals of the Middle Ages! Suwa-taisha Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, located in the Suwa Basin at the base of the Japanese archipelago. The shrine holds more than 200 festivals a year, and they are full of mysteries. Mishaguji, a spirit that is sent down during important rituals. And the sacrifice of a deer, which was considered essential to the ritual.... While covering the festivals of the four seasons, the director, Hiroko, who has followed the culture of life and death in Nepal and Tibet, became aware of the primordial prayer for the "cycle of life" that exists in these festivals. She then takes on the challenge of recreating the "Mimuro ritual" of the Middle Ages, which has long been shrouded in awe and mystery. What was the performance that took place in front of Daigusa, the boy who was a living god, caged in a hole in the shrine during the three months of severe winter? And what is the meaning of the 75 deer heads dedicated to Daibugyo, who appears in April after being given a make-up makeover? From winter to spring, from death to rebirth. The film depicts the beautiful four seasons over a period of three years, and the primordial prayer that we, living in the modern world, have almost forgotten. The director, Hiroko, has been making films on the theme of "nature and prayer," and also directed NHK's Nippon Hyakumeizan (Nippon 100 Famous Mountains). This is her first feature-length film. Produced by Minao Kitamura, who has produced a number of films on visual folklore, including "Shizuri: The Traveling Kajiki" and "Chironupukamui Iomante. Narrated by Mamiko Noto, a popular voice actress known for "Kimi ni Todoke" and "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury," and Seiko Ito, one of the pioneers of Japanese rap music, who is also active as a writer and TV personality. Marihiko Hara, who received high acclaim from artists in Japan and abroad and also participated in the hit film "Kokuho," is in charge of the music. The many precious images captured in this film became a topic of conversation, and the film was shown at Polepole Higashi-Nakano for an unusually long run of more than half a year. Postcards (2 kinds) are enclosed.

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「鹿の国」Blu-ray発売! 生き神とされた少年が見たもの。鹿なくてハ御神事ハすべからず。日本最古の神社の一つ、諏訪大社――その四季の祭礼に密着。異例のロングランヒットを記録した、渾身のドキュメンタリー! ――神秘に包まれた少年の生き神・大祝 (おおほうり)と鹿の贄 (にえ)の祭りには、忘れかけていた"いのちの循環"への祈りがあった。日本で最古の神社の一つ、諏訪大社の四季の祭礼を追い、中世の秘儀を再現したドキュメンタリー!! 日本列島のヘソ、諏訪盆地に位置する日本最古の神社の一つ、諏訪大社。年間200回を超えるその祭礼は謎に満ちている。重要神事で降ろされる精霊・ミシャグジ。そして神事に欠かせないとされた鹿の生贄・・・。ネパールやチベットで生と死の文化を追ってきた監督・弘理子は、四季の祭礼を取材するうちに、そこにある"いのちの循環"への原初の祈りに気づく。そして、長らく畏怖と謎に包まれてきた中世の「御室 (みむろ)神事」の再現に挑む。厳冬の3ヵ月間、神域の穴倉に籠められた生き神の少年・大祝の前で繰り広げられた芸能とは? そして春4月、化粧を施されて出現する大祝に捧げられた75頭の鹿の首の意味とは? 冬から春へ、死から再生へ。美しい四季とともに3年をかけて描き出された、現代社会を生きる私たちが忘れかけていた原初の祈りの姿。監督の弘理子は、"自然と祈り"をテーマに作品を撮り続け、NHK「にっぽん百名山」も担当。本作が初の劇場公開長編作品となる。プロデューサーを務めるのは、『倭文 (しづり) 旅するカジの木』『チロンヌプカムイ イオマンテ』など、数々の映像民俗学作品を手がけてきた北村皆雄。語りは、『君に届け』や『機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女』で知られる人気声優の能登麻美子、日本語ラップの先駆者の一人で作家やタレントとしても活躍している、いとうせいこう。国内外のアーティストから高い評価を受け、大ヒット映画『国宝』にも参加した原摩利彦が、音楽を担当している。本作がとらえた多くの貴重な映像は話題となり、ポレポレ東中野では半年以上にも及ぶ異例のロングラン上映となった。ポストカード (2種)封入。