Japanese Summer Festival Part-4

It has beeng a little bit cooler and autumn-like in Japan.

How about where you live, is it cool or hot?

 

In Japan, there are festivals throughout the year.

As much as you can enjoy summer festivals feeling the hot weather of summer,

you can also have a great time in autumn festivals feeling the cool autumn breeze as well.

 

 

Do you know the oldest festival in Japan?

 

Aoi festival is the oldest and it was started in Kyoto in 567.

This festival is one of the three great festivals of Kyoto in May.

Two other festivals are Gion festival in July and Jidai festival in October.

Aoi festival is also known as Kamo festival and this is conducted

at both Kami (upper) Kamo and Shimo (lower) Kamo shrines.

 

It is said that first Aoi festival was held when Wakeikaduchinokami (one of the Japanese gods) came down to a mountain in north-northwest of the current main shrine building.

 

In 567, many natural disasters occurred and crops could not grow.

Then, the emperor at that time told a fortune teller to see what was happening

and he found out that curses of god were causing a poor crop.

 

Therefore, farmers and villagers had the festival to pacify the curses

and this was the beginning of Aoi festival.

 

I would like to share a video of “Japanesquest”,

“Aoi Matsuri Festival in Kyoto! / Video Japan Guide”

 

 

T.F