Aoi-Festival (masquerade parade) Kyoto （葵祭）

"Aoi-matsuri" is known as  most graceful and elegant festival in Japan.

This is like"masquerade parade",

everyone disguise themselves as nobles in Heian era,

and they march along the main street.They're about 500 people.

They recreate the 9th-century Japanese aristcrat people and their culture.

The origin of this festival dates back 1400 years ago,

Bad weather and bad harvest caused people great distress,

so  they prayed to God, and they had a  horse race,

and the wind and rain died down suddenly.....

And they had a good crop,and they recovered peace and quiet.

This is the origin of this festival.

People in Kyoto has maintained this traditional festival faithfully.

   

 This man disguise himself as an aristcrat in Heian era.

This is an ox-drawn carriage,used by nobles in the Heian era.

These kids are also marching,wearing colourful ancient clothes.

This is a portable shrine,only for noble person. 

This flower umbrella is believed to protect people from evil.

This man disguise himself as an imperial bodyguard.

He carries arrows on his back.

He is in a very good mood (^_^)