Hina-Ningyo (Takatori,Nara)

They're"Hina-Ningyo". I happened to see them in Nara,on this March.

People use bamboo to display these dolls.

This style of Hina-Ningyo dispray is not always seen in Japan, 

I think this kind of display is rare in Japan,but it's interesting.

They're tiny and cute...

This is an ancient kimono.

These are balls of cotton wound tightly around with threads of many colors for bouncing.

The two people(on the top shelf) are emperor and empress.

The three women are servants.

This is one of typical way of dispray.

This is also emperor and empress,and their servant.

These dolls are also disprayed.

This girl is carrying a balance.

This doll has a hat decorated with wisteria. 

You can see these Hina-Ningyo in Takatori,Nara,on March,(March 1ーMarch 31)

This is an annual event in Takatori,Nara, and every year,many tourists visit to enjoy this event.

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 (^_^)