Aoi Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri procession in Kyoto. The young girl is dressed up as a court maiden
from Heian Period.
The Aoi Matsuri is one of most famous festivals in Kyoto. It's held on May 15 and during that time the prices of hotels in Kyoto go up. Kyoto gets crowded with Japanese who all want to see it. Some go to stay in cheap guest houses while some stay in hotel. Men and women, young and old, all want to see this magical historical display. Tens of thousands of people come to Tokyo this time.
The festival is a kind of procession, the participants dressed up in Heian Period costumes leave from Shimogamo-jinja and go all the way to Kamigamo-jina. There are more than 600 people participating the parade.
Some are carrying Parade Drums, some are imperial warriors, and the huge Furyu Gasa umbrella is carried on himesama or imperial
People are standing by the road and taking pictures passionately. Cars are stopped. The leading characters are imperial warriors with their bows and arrows, to provide "security" for the procession. There were samurais riding horses too.
Himesama, the princesses came last in the parade, as well as Saioudai, the heroine of the Aoi Matsuri. Everyone expect them most.
It is entirely quiet, there is no music, and the audience is asked to be quiet. There is something sacred about Aoi matsuri, something invisible. Especially the young girls dressed up as court maidens moved the audience.
