Aoi festival facts for kids
The Aoi Festival or Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) is one of the three most famous festivals in Kyoto, Japan. It happens every year on May 15. The festival is known for its big parade. Over 500 people dress up in old-fashioned clothes from the Heian Period (794-1185). They walk from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines. The festival gets its name from "Aoi," which means "Hollyhock" in Japanese. Hollyhock leaves are worn by everyone in the parade.
What is the Aoi Festival?
The Aoi Festival is a very old and important event in Kyoto. It is also called the Kamo Matsuri. This name comes from its strong connection to the Kamo Shrines. The festival celebrates the history and traditions of Japan.
A Look Back: The Festival's History
The Aoi Matsuri started a long time ago. It began in the 7th century. This was even before Kyoto became Japan's capital in 794. People believe it started because of natural disasters. These disasters were thought to be caused by the gods of the Kamo Shrines. The Emperor, who was Japan's ruler, made special offerings to the gods. After this, the disasters stopped. This led to the start of the festival tradition.
Over time, the Aoi Matsuri became very important. During the Heian Period, if someone said "the festival," they usually meant the Aoi Matsuri. This shows how highly people thought of it.
The Grand Parade
Today, the main part of the festival is a huge parade. It shows how grand the festival was in the past. The parade includes many interesting sights. You can see men riding horses. There are also giant bouquets of flowers. Beautifully decorated carts pulled by oxen are part of the procession. A large group of women in traditional kimono also join. They accompany a special person called the Saio.
The Saio
The Saio was traditionally a young woman. She was a member of the imperial family. She served as the main priestess of the Kamo Shrines. During festivals, the Saio performed important rituals at the shrines.
Today, a different unmarried woman from Kyoto is chosen each year to be the Saio. She must go through special purification ceremonies before the festival. During the parade, she is carried in a palanquin. A palanquin is a covered chair carried by people.
