Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Aoi Matsuri

The Aoi Matsuri is a procession that has taken place for approximately 1500 years. Although the details of the origins of this parade are lost, it is likely a reenactment of a religious offering to the deities of the Kamo shrine, placating them for a series of national disasters (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3948.html).  There were people on horseback, ox carts, and people dressed in very fancy clothes. The flowers were very beautiful. Here are some pictures:
an archer on horseback

one of two oxcarts (spare ox behind...)

flowers!

more flowers!

even more flowers!

beautiful kimono

and more kimono

and more kimono

on horseback


It was a fairly short parade, probably about 40 minutes. It was originally supposed to occur on the 15th but it was rained out yesterday.

In other news, does anyone know if the tooth fairy goes to Japan?!?

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