Kyoto's Jidai Matsuri festival begins with about 2,000 costumed marchers
In short
Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three great festivals, was held on 22 October. About 2,000 people dressed as historical figures took part. A divine procession left Heian Jingu at about 9:00, and a grand procession about 2 kilometres long set out at noon and headed for Heian Jingu.
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Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three great festivals, began in Kyoto on the morning of 22 October. Sankei Shimbun reported that about 2,000 people dressed as figures from the Heian period to the Meiji period walked through the city. The procession is known as a moving historical scroll and is a seasonal fixture of the old capital in autumn. [ 2 , 3 ]
At about 9:00 a.m., the divine procession, centred on two portable shrines for Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei, left Heian Jingu for the Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyoto Gyoen). Sankei described the two emperors as the enshrined deities of Heian Jingu. Nikkei located the shrine in Sakyo Ward and the park in Kamigyo Ward, and said clear skies and a pleasant breeze marked the start. [ 2 , 3 ]
Around noon, processions from the various eras gathered at the Imperial Park and formed a grand procession about 2 kilometres long. It moved toward Heian Jingu. Sankei named the Ishin Kinno procession among them. Nikkei said the procession has 20 groups from eight eras, from the Meiji Restoration back through the Edo, Azuchi-Momoyama and Muromachi periods, and passes along Karasuma-dori and Oike-dori. [ 2 , 3 ]
Both outlets said the costumes are based on historical research. Sankei said the costumes and ritual items faithfully reproduce those of the time. Spectators along the route held up cameras and smartphones. [ 2 , 3 ]
Nikkei quoted Hiroshi Nakanishi (中西弘), 65, who came for the day from Gifu Prefecture and said he was watching the festival for the tenth time. He said its appeal lies in the splendid costumes and its resemblance to period dramas, and that the long procession lets viewers watch at length. [ 3 ]
Jidai Matsuri is the grand festival of Heian Jingu. It began in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the move of the capital to Heian. Nikkei said it ranks with the Aoi Festival in May and the Gion Festival in July as one of Kyoto's three great festivals. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents present the event as a seasonal festival that draws crowds along the route. They give no wider consequences.
Key facts
- Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three great festivals, began in Kyoto on 22 October. [ 2 , 3 ]
- About 2,000 people dressed as historical figures marched in the procession. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The costumes and ritual items are based on historical research, according to the reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The main procession is about 2 kilometres long. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The festival began in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the move of the capital to Heian. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Nikkei reported that the grand procession has 20 processions from eight eras. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Jidai Matsuri procession started on the morning of 22 October, with the divine procession leaving Heian Jingu at about 9:00 for the Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyoto Gyoen). [ 2 , 3 ]
- The divine procession is centred on two portable shrines for Emperors Kammu and Komei. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Around noon the larger procession, about 2 kilometres long, moves toward Heian Jingu. [ 2 , 3 ]
- About 2,000 people took part, dressed as figures from history. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The span of eras represented is described differently. Sankei says the figures range from the Heian period to the Meiji period, while Nikkei says from the Heian period to the Meiji Restoration.
- Nikkei says the 20 processions come from eight eras. Sankei does not give this figure. Only one outlet gives the number of eras and processions.