Time Travel to the Heian Period through Kyoto’s May Scenery! ‘Roto no Gi’ Ceremony hold at the “Aoi Matsuri”, One of Kyoto’s 3 Major Festivals, after 4 Years

“Aoi Matsuri”(葵祭) takes place in May each year, which is one of the 3 most important festivals in Kyoto along with ‘Gion Matsuri'(祇園祭) in July and ‘Jidai Matsuri'(時代祭). The ceremony related to this festival has been started since 1st May and the main event is ‘Roto-no-gi’ which is held on the 15th of May. This parade involves around 500 people in colorful court attire strolling from the former imperial palace to Shimogamojinja and then to Kamigamojinja. The situation is like looking at a picture scroll. You can enjoy the beautiful and spectacular view that makes you forget the time.

“Aoi Matsuri”, is the tradition of May in Kyoto. Formally, it’s called Kamo Festival, and the oldest Matsuri in the 3 most important festivals in Kyoto. The origin is about 1,500 years ago. It’s said that the beginning is to quell the famine and disease that spread at the time. It also notes that Aoi Matsuri was especially popular during the Heian period. A description of the festival also appears in The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu.

This festival starts with Kamokurabe Uma-e Ashizoroe Ceremony (賀茂競馬足汰式) which is held in Kamigamo Shrine every May. This highlight is the ‘Roto-no-gi’ on 15th May. In 2023, the ceremony will be held for the first time in 4 years. You can see over 500 people dressed in the aristocratic style of the Heian Period. The most attractive feature in a line that stretches as long as 1km is the heroine of the festival, Saiodai (斎王代). The appearance which he has on Juni-Hitoe (十二単, twelve-layered ceremonial kimono) and carried on a float called an ‘oyoyo’ is breathtaking beauty. It is surrounded by an elegant and moist atmosphere. Watching the procession slowly parade about 8 kilometers makes you feel like you’ve slipped back in time to the Heian period. Please try to experience the feeling at the site.