Having been Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, Kyoto has a rich, complex, and vibrant cultural tradition. The city is known for its imperial palace, countless temples and shrines, and its three important annual festivals, or matsuri, that celebrate the history of this timeless metropolis. Today we’ll dive right into the fascinating details surrounding them and share the ancient origins of these brilliant events.
AOI MATSURI
May 15
Procession departing in front of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace – Photo Credit: Japanexperterna
Aoi Matsuri is the oldest of Kyoto’s three major festivals, dating back to the Heian period in the 6th century CE. It takes its name from the Japanese word for the hollyhock leaves that are used in decorations around the festival to ward off natural disasters. The origins of the festival are lost to time, but legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (539-571), the country was plagued by a series of epidemics and natural disasters that ruined the grain crops. The emperor sent messengers to perform equestrian rituals at the shrine in order to appease the gods. When good fortune returned to the capital, the emperor established Aoi Matsuri as an annual imperial festival. There were a few brief periods when the festival was discontinued, however ever since it has been held every year.
The modern festival begins each May 15th at 10:30 A.M., when a parade of more than 500 people in colorful traditional costumes from the Heian Period slowly walk from the gates of the Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Shimogamo Shrine and then on to the Kamigamo Shrine. The procession is led by mounted riders, women carrying beautifully decorated umbrellas, and the saio-dai, or festival princess. In ancient times, the saio-dai would have been a young woman from the imperial family, but the role today is filled by one of Kyoto’s young, unmarried women who is said to embody wisdom and grace. Highlights of the festival include archery and equestrian demonstrations and floats decorated with fragrant seasonal flowers.
The Saio-Dai being carried – Photo Credit: HaHiFuHeHo
GION MATSURI
July
Kyoto during Yoiyama – Photo Credit: Stefan
The Gion Matsuri, named for the Gion region, is a highlight of the summer in Kyoto and shares similarities with the aoi matsuri. Like the Aoi matsuri, the Gion festival has its roots in purification rituals ordered by the emperor to appease the angry gods and bring an end to a series of natural disasters. The festival has been celebrated almost every year since the 17th century.
Gion Matsuri is actually a series of events that run throughout the month of July. The high point of the festival is the parade on July 17 featuring traditional yamaboko floats. Twenty-four large floats called “yama” carry life-sized figures of Shinto deities and Buddhist bodhisattvas. 66 smaller floats called “hoko” or “halberds” recall the decorated swords used in the original ritual. The floats, pulled through the streets by ropes, are elaborately decorated with exquisite tapestries, sculptures, and other breathtaking works of art. A second, smaller parade is held a week later on July 24.
There is also excitement to be had during the yoiyama, the celebration held on the three evenings before each parade. During this celebration, streets are closed to traffic, and members of the public can visit the floats, buy good luck souvenirs, and enjoy street food from the vendors whose stalls line the street. There is a paid viewing area in the stands by City Hall, but the parade route is so long, it is not difficult to find a good vantage point along the route.
The Heian Shrine – Photo Credit: Sarah Hopt
JIDAI MATSURI
October 22
Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto – Photo Credit: Aumphotography
Compared to Kyoto’s other two festivals, the Heian Shrine’s Jidai Festival is a relatively new tradition. After the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, local officials feared the loss of the city’s prestige. The Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the city. The “Festival of the Ages” was founded to celebrate Kyoto’s history, and to honor Emperor Kammu, who moved the imperial capital to Kyoto, and Emperor Kommei, the last emperor of the Edo Period.
The festival begins when mikoshi or “portable shrines” said to contain the spirits of the two emperors are brought out from the Imperial Palace. However, the festival’s most exciting event is a walk through Kyoto’s past, with re-enactors dressed in sumptuous costumes performing scenes from Japan’s history from the feudal period to the Meiji Restoration. The costumes are painstakingly researched and constructed with traditional methods and materials.
Kyoto’s festivals bring the city’s ancient past to the present. From the vibrant springtime through the cool breezes of autumn, visitors can experience Kyoto’s rich cultural traditions at each of the city’s most famous festivals. Surrounded by lively processions, the joy of those in attendance, and the knowledge of how it all came to be, these three matsuri will fill one with the Kyoto spirit. Living history awaits.
Featured Photo Credit: Shawn.ccf
