| DATE: | May 15, 2006; from 10:00 until evening | |
| PLACE: | 59, Izumikawa-cho, Shimogamo, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto |
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| DIRECTION: | By City Bus No. 4 or No. 205 to Shimogamo-jinja-mae bus stop. | |
| TEL: | 81-75-781-0010 | |
| ADMISSION: | Free | |
| TEXT: | Aoi Matsuri originated some 1,400 years ago, when Kyoto suffered a disastrous harvest that led to starvation and disease. Emperor Kinmei sent a messenger to hold rites and call for the blessings of the Kamo deity. Today’s festival follows the ancient style of the Heian Dynasty period. The festival consists of three parts: ‘Kyuchu no gi’(rites in the Imperial Court), ‘Roto no gi’(rites in the street) and ‘Shato no gi’(rites in the shrine). Everything and everyone is adorned with the leaves of aoi (hollyhock), including bamboo screens in the shrine area, court carriages, costumes of messengers and servants, horses, and even cows. An elegant procession consisting of more than 500 celebrants leaves Kyoto-gosho and heads to Kamigamo Shrine via Shimogamo Shrine. |