Of the 6 main businesses that the Eastern Culture Foundation (ECF) is supporting we have begun to provide financial assistance to “Mibu-dera”, a Buddhist temple located at Rishuu Daihonzan Temple in Nakakyo-ku, Kyoto.

The support of the temple represents one of ECF’s activities in the effort to revitalize culturally significant areas. At Mibu-dera there is a silent play called Mibu Kyogen (a form of traditional Japanese comic theatre) that is performed every year at Setsubun (a traditional Japanese festival held on February 2nd) and in April and October. Mibu Kyogen is one of the three major Buddhist Kyogen events in Kyoto, along with the Enmadou Dainen Buddha Kyogen at Injoji Temple in Kamigyo Ward and the Saga Dainen Buddha Kyogen at Seiryo-ji Temple in Saga. It has a history of approximately 700 years and is designated as an important abstract property of folk culture. In order to preserve Mibu Kyogen for future generations, we will provide financial support for expenses such as the cost of repairing the costumes used, etc.