AOI MATSURI

Hello blog This morning, I awoke at 5:30 am to go to the 葵祭. It is a parade that is as detailed: “The Elegant Procession Recreating the Imperial Culture of the Heian Period.” The history of this parade goes as follows: people were suffering terrible storms throughout Japan, so in 500 AC, Emperor Kinmei found the deities of Kamo shrines were angry at peoples ingratitude and impiety, so he sent his messengers to these shrines to pacify the gods. The storms stopped and a bountiful harvest emerged.

葵祭
The entire parade lasted for about 40 minutes. It contains 511 people, 36 horses, 4 oxen, and 2 牛車 (carriages). It was honestly kinda boring for the most part, but the post that was quite intriguing was when the “court ladies” walked through. Females wore traditional white makeup. The court ladies surrounded the さいおだい (princess). The Saio-dai was the lady in the carriage. When she passed, it gave me goosebumps. There were little girls following dressed in a similar manner with the white makeup. They were adorable. I think the people apart pf the parade must have been dying though since it was extremely hot outside and the traditional Japanese clothing is multiple layers of cloth. Interesting…

I’d supply photos if i weren’t so lazy… *sigh* what to do, what to do… i guess watch more single’s inferno and go to sleep? This is the only option I guess. Okay, じゃね。