Kyoto turns back time with 'Festival of the Ages' parade

Oct 23, 2023 | News On Japan

KYOTO - About 2,000 people in costumes from various eras in Japanese history paraded through the ancient capital of Kyoto on Sunday.

The Jidai Matsuri, or Festival of the Ages, featured people wearing clothing from the Heian period that began in the late eighth century to the Meiji era that started in the 19th century.

They walked in reverse chronological order under clear autumn skies.

The procession left the Kyoto Imperial Palace at noon, led by people dressed as members of the fife and drum corps of the new government forces that fought for the Meiji Restoration.

Other participants played the roles of historical figures such as the 19th-century samurai, Sakamoto Ryoma, and the 16th-century warlord, Oda Nobunaga.

The festival started in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the Japanese capital to Kyoto. It is one of the city's three major festivals, along with the Aoi Festival in May and the Gion Festival in July.

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