Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival)

In Kyoto there is no dearth of festivals and events. One of the major festivals of the place is Aoi Matsuri (Hollyshock Festival). Aoi Matsuri is also known as Kamo festival and it is one of the three big festivals of Kyoto, the other two being Gion festival and Jidai Matsuri. It is celebrated in the month of May. During the festival the residents of Kyoto participate in a parade and everything in the procession is embellished with hollyhock leaf crest, which is known as “aoi”. This procession starts at 10.30 am from Kyoto Imperial to Shimogamo - jinja Shrine and heads towards Kamigamo - jinja Shrine.

Aoi Matsuri is considered to be the most elegant festival in Japan. On the day of the festival the imperial shrine, the traditional garments of people participating in the procession, the carts and horses and the branches and leaves of hollyhock create an out of the world aura. Originally the Aoi Matsuri festival was a state festival exclusively for the imperial order and the commoners did not participate in the festival. The primary aim of the festival is to uphold the refined traditions and customs of the Heian court.

The festival comprises of two chief rituals, the procession and the shrine rites. The cardinal member of the procession is Saio-dai, who is accompanied by regal servants, the nobility, coaches, horses and oxen and all the props and ornaments that is reminiscent of the ancient court. In the past when the procession passed through the major city avenues, all local people used to turn up in great numbers to witness the grand parade. The enthusiasm in the residents of Kyoto has not diminished and even now the inhabitants of Kyoto wait for the festival all throughout the year. A vivid description of the procession can be found in the "The Tale of Genji", where the novelist skillfully captures the commotion of carriages, people and animals in the procession.

The parade is led by the Imperial Messenger along with other representatives of the old imperial court. The procession heads northward and stops at the Shimogamo-jinja Shrine and then the parade proceeds towards the Kamigamo-jinja Shrine.

Several rituals and rites are conducted at the shrines by the head priests and their subordinates. All these rites and rituals are conducted before the procession arrives and after the arrival of the parade, the Messenger presents offerings at each shrine. This is followed by ritual dances and other ceremonies, which are performed for the deities.

The shrine rituals are not opened to the public but then a limited number of people can attend the Shimogamo-jinja Shrine. So if you are planning to make a trip during the Aoi Matsuri festival to Kyoto and if you are eager to witness the shrine rituals, then you have to apply in advance. For more details about the festival and about the procedure of application, you can contact the tourist information center of Kyoto.

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