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Aoi Festival in Kyoto

People dressed in court-style attire from the Heian period (794-1185) leave Kyoto Imperial Palace for a parade with a court carriage during the annual Aoi Festival, one of the three main festivals of the ancient Japanese capital, on May 15, 2025.

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Ancient imperial boat celebration reenacted in Kyoto

People dressed in ancient Japanese court-style attire are seen on boats floating down the Oigawa River in the western Japan city of Kyoto on May 19, 2024, during the annual Mifune festival, known for its reenactment of an imperial boating party from the Heian period (794-1185).

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Ancient imperial boat celebration reenacted in Kyoto

People dressed in ancient Japanese court-style attire are seen on boats floating down the Oigawa River in the western Japan city of Kyoto on May 19, 2024, during the annual Mifune festival, known for its reenactment of an imperial boating party from the Heian period (794-1185).

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan, May 15 Kyodo - People dressed in traditional costumes of the ancient Heian period (794-1185) parade through Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on May 15, 2024, with a palanquin carrying a woman playing the role of the Saio-dai priestess during the annual Aoi Festival, one of the three main festivals of the ancient Japanese capital. (Kyodo)

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

People dressed in traditional costumes of the ancient Heian period (794-1185) parade with an ancient style court carriage during the annual Aoi Festival, one of the three main festivals of the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto, on May 15, 2024.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

People dressed in traditional costumes of the ancient Heian period (794-1185) parade through Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on May 15, 2024, with a palanquin carrying a woman playing the role of the Saio-dai priestess during the annual Aoi Festival, one of the three main festivals of the ancient Japanese capital.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - A "bugaku" dance and music performance takes place at a ceremony at World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 2, 2014, to mark the completion of the main part of the hall's restoration work. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors the following day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo taken April 2, 2014, shows World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, where a ceremony was held that day to mark the completion of the main part of the hall's restoration work. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors the following day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - A "bugaku" dance and music performance takes place at a ceremony at World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 2, 2014, to mark the completion of the main part of the hall's restoration work. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors the following day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo shows World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 3, 2014. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors that day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo shows visitors at World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 3, 2014. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors that day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo taken April 3, 2014, shows World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors that day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo taken April 3, 2014, shows World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors that day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto temple after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - Photo shows tourists in front of World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on April 3, 2014. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was opened to visitors that day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Kyoto's World Heritage temple to reopen after renovation

KYOTO, Japan - World Heritage site Byodoin temple's Phoenix Hall in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, as photographed on April 2, 2014. The hall, one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185), was reopened to visitors the following day after one and a half years of renovation work.

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Wooden lion of Heian period to be displayed at Toji

KYOTO, Japan - A wooden lion, made during the Heian period (794 - 1185 A.D.), is disclosed to the press at Toji, a world heritage temple in Kyoto, on March 19, 2014, ahead of the opening of the temple's esoteric Buddhism art craft exhibition on March 20, 2014.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Men dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185) move in a procession during the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals in Kyoto, in the western city on May 15, 2013. Some 500 participants walked around 8 kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines during the festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Men dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185) move in a procession with a decorated ox cart during the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals in Kyoto, in the western city on May 15, 2013. Some 500 participants walked around 8 kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines during the festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, move in a procession in the western Japanese city on May 16, 2012. Some 500 participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked with decorated ox carts and horses around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, move in a procession in the western Japanese city on May 16, 2012. Some 500 participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked with decorated ox carts and horses around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, move in a procession in the western Japanese city on May 16, 2012. Some 500 participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked with decorated ox carts and horses around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, move in a procession in the western Japanese city on May 16, 2012. Some 500 participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked with decorated ox carts and horses around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Museum of 'Ogura hyakunin isshu'

KYOTO, Japan - A diorama forms part of the displays at Shigureden, a Kyoto museum devoted to ''Ogura hyakunin isshu'' (100 poems by 100 poets). The museum was shown to the media on March 14, 2012, prior to its scheduled reopening on March 17 following a yearlong renovation. Hyakunin isshu karuta (playing cards) of the Edo period (1603-1868) and dolls representing the poets are among the exhibits and visitors can try on Heian period (794-1185) costumes.

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Kyoto's Aoi Festival

KYOTO, Japan - Men dressed as public servants from the Heian Period (794-1185), walk with a decorated ox cart during Kyoto's Aoi Festival on May 15, 2010. Around 500 men wearing costumes from the period took part in the parade, which travels around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival dating back 1,400 years.

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Aoi Matsuri dating back 1,400 years held in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - About 500 participants and around 40 horses and cows parade in the Aoi Matsuri (festival), which dates back 1,400 years, in Kyoto on May 15, 2010. The participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked around eight kilometers from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, watched by about 26,000 people on the parade route.

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Aoi Matsuri dating back 1,400 years held in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - About 500 participants in the Aoi Matsuri (festival), which has a history of 1,400 years, parade through Kyoto on May 15. The participants, dressed like nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), go about 8 kilometers from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines.

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Heian-period 'Feast on a winding stream' reenacted in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Watched by a crowd of spectators, the annual ''Kyokusui-no-en,'' a Heian period (AD 794-1185) pastime for nobles, is reenacted in the garden of the Jonan-gu shrine in Kyoto on April 29. Kyokusui-no-en, or feast on a winding stream, was performed by nobles who had to compose a Japanese poem and write it down on a strip of paper before floating cups of sake reached them, or else they had to drink the sake as a penalty.

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Aoi Matsuri dating back 1,400 years held in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - About 500 participants in the Aoi Matsuri (festival) which has a history of 1,400 years process through Kyoto on May 15. The participants, dressed like nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), are leaving the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

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Heian-period 'Feast on a winding stream' reenacted in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Watched by a large crowd of spectators, ''Kyokusui-no-en,'' a Heian period (AD 794-1185) pastime for the nobles, is reenacted in the garden of Jonan-gu shrine in Kyoto on April 29. Kyokusui-no-en, or feast on a winding stream, was performed by Heian nobles who must compose a Japanese poem and write it down on a strip of paper before floating cups of sake reach them, or else they must drink up the sake as penalty.

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Ancient New Year 'Kemari' ball game reenacted in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Dressed in ancient court costume, members of the Kemari Preservation Society in Kyoto play a ''Kemari'' ball game in the courtyard of Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4 in the traditional ''First Kemari of the Year'' festival. First introduced from China, Kemari, a game with a ball made of deer leather, was popular among aristocrats in Japan's Heian era (circa 794-1185 A.D.). The team that keeps the ball in the air with the largest number of kicks wins the game.

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Aoi festival dating back 1,400 years held in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Some 500 participants in the Aoi Matsuri (festival), which has a history of 1,400 years, process through Kyoto on May 15. The participants, dressed like nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), were leaving Kyoto Palace (background) on their way to Kami-Gamo Shrine.

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Silver 'hina' dolls to be sold to commemorate princess' wedding

TOKYO, Japan - A set of silver ''hina'' dolls commemorating the wedding of Princess Sayako on Nov. 15 is displayed at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 22. The set consists of two dolls representing an emperor and empress wearing the court dress of the Heian period (794-1185) and three dolls representing court ladies serving the emperor and the empress, sitting on a vermillion-lacquered platform. Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K. will sell the ''hina'' dolls at 150,000 yen per set for display at the annual March 3 Doll Festival.

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Medieval poetry competition reproduced

KYOTO, Japan - As crowds of tourists watch, two persons (far left and far right) clad in aristocratic attire write down their waka (poems) at a Kyoto garden on April 29 in a reproduction of a poetry competition popular among the nobility in the Heian period (794-1185).

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Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reenactment of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter, trying to keep it from hitting the ground.

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Aoi festival held in rain

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri (festival) process beneath umbrellas in rainy Kyoto on May 15. The participants, dressed like nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), were leaving Kyoto Palace on their way to Kami-Gamo Shrine.

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Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter trying to keep it from falling to the ground.

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Hoodo illuminated for sightseeing

UJI, Japan - Hoodo (Phoenix Hall) of Byodoin Temple in Uji, southeast of Kyoto, is illuminated April 26 to attract evening visitors. dedicated to the Buddha, the hall is one of the finest examples of the aristocratic art and architecture of the latter part of the Heian period (794-1185).

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New attire for Kyoto ''Aoi Matsuri'' unveiled

KYOTO, Japan - New attire to be worn by participants in Kyoto's annual ''Aoi Matsuri (festival)'' in May are on display at the Kyoto Imperial Palace on April 19. On May 15, some 500 participants, dressed like nobles in the Heian period (794-1185), take part in a procession that makes its way across the city's Aoi Bridge to Shimo-Gamo Shrine and then to Kami-Gamo Shrine.

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Fire destroys Aichi temple, state cultural treasure

NAGOYA, Japan - A fire broke out at the Hokkein temple in Jimokuji, Aichi Prefecture, Jan. 20, destroying the main temple along with a wooden Goddess of Mercy sculpture. The image, created in the Heian era (A.D. 794-1185), was designated an important cultural treasure of the state in 1937. The fire broke out shortly after 8 p.m.

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Medieval court game reproduced

KYOTO, Japan - Three men play kemari in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People form a circle and kick a deerskin ball to prevent it from falling to the ground.

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100,000 candles lit to honor spirits of ancestors

Some 20,000 people gather and light candles at a temple in Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture, Aug. 13 to honor the spirits of ancestors. The ritual, called ''bon'' festival, is traditionally observed in mid-August in Japan. Some 100,000 candles were lit along a two-kilometer path leading to the grave of Kukai, or Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist priest of the early Heian period (794-1185).

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

A ritual is held at Shimogamo shrine on May 15, 2022 as part of the Aoi festival, one of the three largest festivals in Kyoto. The festival's main event -- a procession in which about 500 people dressed in the traditional attire from the Heian Period (794-1185) parade -- was canceled for the third consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

A ritual is held at Shimogamo shrine on May 15, 2022 as part of the Aoi festival, one of the three largest festivals in Kyoto. The festival's main event -- a procession in which about 500 people dressed in the traditional attire from the Heian Period (794-1185) parade -- was canceled for the third consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

A ritual is held at Shimogamo shrine on May 15, 2022 as part of the Aoi festival, one of the three largest festivals in Kyoto. The festival's main event -- a procession in which about 500 people dressed in the traditional attire from the Heian Period (794-1185) parade -- was canceled for the third consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Aoi festival in Kyoto

A ritual is held at Shimogamo shrine on May 15, 2022 as part of the Aoi festival, one of the three largest festivals in Kyoto. The festival's main event -- a procession in which about 500 people dressed in the traditional attire from the Heian Period (794-1185) parade -- was canceled for the third consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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New attire for Kyoto ''Aoi Matsuri'' unveiled

KYOTO, Japan - New attire to be worn by participants in Kyoto's annual ''Aoi Matsuri (festival)'' in May are on display at the Kyoto Imperial Palace on April 19. On May 15, some 500 participants, dressed like nobles in the Heian period (794-1185), take part in a procession that makes its way across the city's Aoi Bridge to Shimo-Gamo Shrine and then to Kami-Gamo Shrine.

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Aoi festival held in rain

KYOTO, Japan - Participants in the annual Aoi Matsuri (festival) process beneath umbrellas in rainy Kyoto on May 15. The participants, dressed like nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), were leaving Kyoto Palace on their way to Kami-Gamo Shrine. (Kyodo)

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Medieval court game 'kemari' played

KYOTO, Japan - People in traditional Japanese costumes play ''kemari'' in a reproduction of the traditional ball game at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 4. Kemari attained wide popularity among court nobles during the Nara (710-794), Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) periods. People wearing leather shoes form a circle and kick a deerskin ball about 24 centimeters in diameter trying to keep it from falling to the ground. (Kyodo)

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Tokyo, Osaka governors featured as traditional Japanese dolls ?

TOKYO, Jan. 27 Kyodo - A?traditional?doll maker that unveils new figures featuring prominent newsmakers each year has chosen the governors of Tokyo and Osaka, two cities with high numbers of novel coronavirus cases, this time as a gesture of hope for an end to the pandemic.?Tokyo-based Kyugetsu Co. revealed the hina?dolls?of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, 68, and Hirofumi Yoshimura, 45, on Wednesday at its headquarters ahead of Girls' Day on March 3.?In Japan, hina?dolls, representing an emperor, empress and their attendants wearing the court dress of the Heian period (794-1185), are?traditionally displayed by families with girls to celebrate the Girls' Day festival each spring.The firm also revealed?dolls?representing U.S. President Joe Biden, 78.

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Annual Aoi festival held in Kyoto

People in ancient Japanese court-style attire participate in the annual Aoi Matsuri, one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, in the western Japan city on May 15, 2016. Around 500 participants, dressed as nobles of the Heian Period (794-1185), walked with decorated ox carts and horses around an eight kilometer course from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, during the ancient capital's major festival, which dates back 1,400 years. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo