Jidai Matsuri
jidai matsuri 時代祭 festival age traditional japanese festival also called matsuri held annually october kyoto japan one kyoto three major festival two aoi matsuri held annually may gion matsuri held annually july festival enjoyed people age participating historical reenactment parade dressed authentic costume representing various period character japanese feudal history jidai matsuri trace root relocation japanese capital kyoto tokyo meiji restoration involved relocation emperor japan imperial family imperial palace thousand government official subject new city fearing kyoto loss glory interest people commemorate history city government kyoto prefectural government commemorated th anniversary founding heiankyō 平安京 former name kyoto emperor kanmu 桓武天皇 kanmutennō – inaugurate first jidai celebration city government built heian shrine 平安神宮 heian jingū enshrine spirit emperor kanmu add meaning festival staged costume procession representing people era kyoto history local government decided top honouring emperor kanmu jidai festival also held honour emperor kōmei 孝明天皇 kōmeitennō july – january work unifying country power imperial court affirmation kyoto center japan decline tokugawa shogunate end edo period jidai matsuri begin early morning mikoshi portable shrine brought kyoto imperial palace people may pay respect mikoshi represents emperor kanmu emperor kōmei fivehour twokilometer costume procession begin afternoon approximately performer dressed samurai military figure common people earliest era meiji era followed japanese woman dressed elaborate jūnihitoe 十二単衣 juunihitoe finally mikoshi carried palace accompanied costumed military band play gagaku procession end heian shrine jidai matsuri rescheduled october due enthronement ceremony emperor naruhito