[Kyoto's Three Major Festivals] Aoi Festival

Features of this Plan

• Imperial culture shining amidst the fresh greenery of Kyoto

  

  The Aoi Festival has been passed down for over a thousand years. It has been forced to be suspended or scaled down due to wars, social conditions, and other circumstances, but has been revived many times thanks to the efforts and support of people, including the Imperial Court, the Shogunate, and shrines. It is a valuable festival that strongly retains the traditions of dynasty customs. Please come and see this elegant dynasty picture scroll, brought back to life in the modern age, including the costumes and ritual implements.

• Roadside procession

  

  Of all the rituals of the Aoi Festival, the two that take place on May 15th are the "Roto no Gi" (Roto Ceremony) and "Shato no Gi" (Shato Ceremony). The nationally famous "Roto no Gi" refers to the procession on the way to each Kamo Shrine (the collective name for Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine) for the "Shato no Gi" ceremony. The procession stretches approximately one kilometer and includes over 500 people dressed in court attire, 36 horses, four oxen, two oxcarts, and one palanquin. It is made up of the Honretsu (Main Procession) starring the Konoe Shidai (Imperial Guards Deputy) and the Saio-dai (Saio-dai) Procession, centered around the Saio-dai, the heroine of the Aoi Festival.

• What is the Saiodai?

  

  The Saio is an unmarried princess who serves the Kamo Shrine on behalf of the Emperor. It began in the Heian period when Emperor Saga's daughter, Princess Achiko, was sent as Saio of Kamo-no-Okami. This system continued for about 400 years, and came to an end in the early Kamakura period. However, in 1956, a Saio-dai (a Saio-deputy) was selected to act as Saio, and the procession of women was revived. She is the heroine of the Aoi Festival, attracting attention every year.

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