third great festival, Jidai Matsuri is held annually on October 22. This newer Festival of the Ages showcases Kyoto’s 1,200-year history in a visual display of the city’s position as arbiter of design and tradition. Costumes reflect back a thousand years to when women of the 9th century court donned twelve layers of diaphanous silk kimono. The display extends into the late 19th century, when the appearance of Japanese men in suit and tie signaled the country’s opening to Western fashion, culture, and science.
Even today, the weaving and dyeing industries of Kyoto continue to contribute their artistic acumen in researching and renewing the intricate weaves and dyes that reflects centuries of textile techniques.
In addition to providing a gorgeous entertainment for native and tourist alike, Kyoto’s festive pageantry continues after a thousand years to reassure believers that the gods remain aware of their petitioners’ desire for safety and peace.
Dancing flames and flying sparks electrify the evening sky as Mountain Ascetic monks (Yamabushi) of the Shingon Buddhist sect prepare the coals for the annual fire-walking ceremony in which participants pray for prolonged good health. The summer event is held at Tanukidani Fudomyo-in temple located up an approach steep enough to ably test one’s health and endurance.
Japan’s largest and most popular shrine is Fushimi Inari Taisha, founded in 711, in the southeastern district of Kyoto. On a summer evening of July 21, red lanterns illuminate the shrine precincts during the Motomiya Festival as visitors walk through hundreds of red torii gates to pray for prosperity. The view is of the Roumon Gate.
The month of July is filled with events connected to the Gion Matsuri festival, including processions of massive floats on July 17 and 24 bringing Kyoto’s treasures into public view. Yukata-clad men at the bow of the Ofune Hoko, are pulling the boat-shaped float with twisted straw ropes through the streets. Young boys similarly clad sit on the upper level of the boat performing Gionbayashi music on flutes and cymbals.
A young man in formal festival wear on the morning of a procession. The designs on the clothing identifies to which float the participant is connected.
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