Saturday, April 19, 2014

Spring Poetry Reading Party "Kyokusui-no-Utage" in Kamigamo Shrine (2)

After the party is over,poets started to leave the garden.
I found Saiou-dai (woman who disguises herself as an imperial woman) coming toward us.
Please look at her kimono,she wears "Juni-hitoe" (twelve-layered ceremonial kimono).
"Junihitoe" is an extremely elegant and highly complex kimono that was only worn by court-ladies in Japan.
"Saiou" means unmarried court lady.
In ancient days,her role was to serve God in a shrine.
"Unmarried court woman" is requisite to be chosen as "Saiou". She needed to be innocent.
In such poetry reading party,her role is to announce the theme of the poetry on that day.
The girl left is Chigo (child of festivity).
I felt something mystical,holy atmosphere from them.
Luckily I managed to take photos of them.

The story still continue to the next....
Thank you for visiting my blog,
please have a nice weekend!

2 comments:

  1. I like the festive atmosphere and among the kimonos, the purple one.
    Thanks for sharing, Kumiko!

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  2. @Traveling Hawk,
    Thank you,Traveling Hawk!
    yes,purple kimono is beautiful,purple colour denotes nobility.
    It's my pleasure :)

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