Aoi Matsuri - probably the oldest festival in the world

The big festival in Kyoto in May is Aoi Masturi. Aoi means hollyhock, and matsuri is the word for festival. The aoi leaves are meant to protect against earthquakes and lightning. The festival dates back to Heien times, about 1000 years ago. There are a variety of events that span 13 days, culminating in a big parade that starts at the Imperial Palace and ends at a northern shrine - Kamigamo. Joules and I went to 2 events, the horse racing and the final parade day.

The horse racing was held at Kamigamo shrine. It involved pairs of racers from opposite teams race against each other along a straight track. Like most festivals the blessings and rituals last much longer than the actual event. It was a hot day and by the time the horses got to race they were raring to go. Some dismounted their riders, some took off before they were meant to and some would have quite liked to have leapt into the midst of the spectators, all the while the riders tried to remain dignified in their elaborate costumes.

The final day parade was a flurry of beautiful, colourful costumes. The centre of attention was the saio-dai, who in olden times would have been an Imperial Princess, but nowadays is a young lady from a ‘good’ Kyoto family and represents the princess. Arriving at Kamigamo shrine she walked along with her multilayered kimono being carried by little girls whilst the older female attendants followed with their long silk trains flowing out behind them in a rainbow of colours.