AOI Matsuri on 15th of May☆

The Aoi Matsuri, now one of the Kyoto's three big festivals(Aoi, Gion
and Jidai), is one of the most solemn and graceful festivals in Japan
and has been well preserved throughout the ages since the 6th century.

It is named after aoi leaves(hollyhock), which are used to decorate the
costumes of the participants.

These leaves are believed to have all
sorts of powers, including protection against lightning and earthquakes,
and quaranteeing easy childbirth.

The procession consists of 511 people, 36 horses, 4 cows and 2 carriages,
and runs 1 kilometer from the front of the back.

The highlight of the festival is the saio-dai, a young woman(in the Heian period,
she was always an imperial princess) who rides on a palanquin in a multitude
of followers wearing the colorful clothing of the imperial court.
She is dressed in 12 layers of imperial Heian robes.