KYOTO FALL FESTIVAL ROCKS ANCIENT HISTORY

Journey through time back to Japan’s ancient feudal past. Jidai Matsuri or “Festival of the Ages,” is an event that takes place every autumn, on October 22, celebrating the founding of Kyoto, as well as the city’s rich cultural legacy.

The main feature of the festival is a spectacular parade, which travels from the Imperial Palace to the Heian Shrine. The procession features approximately 2000 volunteers dressed in extraordinary replicas of traditional garb from almost every period of Japanese history, particularly the 1100 year period during which Kyoto was the capital of Japan.

The beautiful costumes worn during Jidai Matsuri are based on extensive research, including the traditional designs, materials, and crafting techniques. Everything is made the way it was many centuries ago.

The parade is led by the festival’s honorary commissioners, including the governor, mayor and city council chairman, who ride in mid-1800s style horse-drawn carriages.

The procession is divided into groups representing historical eras and then further separated into themes. In reverse chronological order, you’ll see people wearing amazing costumes from the 19th century (Meiji Period) all the way back to people from the 8th century (Heian Period).

You can see emperors, princesses, dignitaries, warriors, priests, politicians, merchants, and commoners from different time periods all pass you by.

Some important officials ride on horseback, while others ride in palanquins carried by attendants. A princess from the Heian Period rides on an elaborate wheeled platform.

The very last group of the parade is the most important in terms of Shinto rituals. Volunteers carry two “mikoshi,” or portable shrines, containing the spirits of the Emperor Kamu and Emperor Komei, the first and last emperors to reside in Kyoto.

More than 150,000 people gather along the 4.5 km route to watch history scroll by. It takes about 2 hours for the whole procession, from start to finish. Afterwards, a religious ceremony is held in Heian-jingu.

IIf you love history, this is a wonderful festival to experience. In addition to the regular viewing areas lining the parade route, there are also sections of reserved seats at the shrine, the palace, and on the streets. Or get a more comprehensive Kyoto experience with a private tour offered by Triple Lights. Either way, get ready to take oodles of photos as over a thousand years pass before your very eyes.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by x@ray. Kyoto-shi. Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
2. Image: by x@ray. Kyoto-shi. Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
3. Image: by Patrick Vierthaler. “Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
4. Image: by Joe Hsu. “The Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
5. Image: by Patrick Vierthaler. “Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
6. Image: by Michael Duxbury. “Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
7. Image: by Patrick Vierthaler. “Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
8. Image: by Joe Hsu. “The Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.
9. Image: by BN App - Download now!
10. Image: by Vintage Lulu. “Jidai Matsuri.” Kyoto, Japan.