When visiting Japan in May, don’t miss the Aoi Matsuri (hollyhock), the annual festival of Shimogamo and is actually one of the three big festivals in Kyoto. An important part of the festival is the gorgeous parade conducted in the style of the ancient Heian Court.

The Aoi Matsuri festival takes place every year on May 15. It starts at 10.30am from the Imperial Palace and leads to the Shimo-gamo and Kami-gamo shrines. More than 500 people dressed in Japanese ancient court costumes take part in parade. If you’re in Kyoto at this time then you will also have the chance to see local maiko and geisha performing the Kamogawa Odori, or Kamo river dances. According to Lonely Planet, the festival has a long history.

Performed at Ponto-cho’s Kaburen-jo theatre since 1872, the dances combine traditional dance, kabuki-like theatre, singing and the playing of traditional instruments and are the closest you will get to these famed figures without a tonne of yen and a teahouse introduction!

Asia Rooms gives the precise details of the festival procedure.

The festival comprises of two chief rituals, the procession and the shrine rites. The cardinal member of the procession is Saio-dai, who is accompanied by regal servants, the nobility, coaches, horses and oxen and all the props and ornaments that is reminiscent of the ancient court. In the past when the procession passed through the major city avenues, all local people used to turn up in great numbers to witness the grand parade. The enthusiasm in the residents of Kyoto has not diminished and even now the inhabitants of Kyoto wait for the festival all throughout the year. A vivid description of the procession can be found in the “The Tale of Genji”, where the novelist skillfully captures the commotion of carriages, people and animals in the procession.

Photo:© Edwin1710

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