Aoi Matsuri

The festival Aoi (葵祭り Aoi Matsuri ) is one of the 3 important festivals of Kyôto and proceeds the May 15th. This festival is also known like the " Kamo" festival; , and is takes place with the sanctuaries Kamigamo and Shimogamo. The origin of the festival goes back to the period of the emperor Kimmei (roughly 1400 years ago). Harvests did not give satisfaction, and that was lived like a curse of " the Kamo" spirit;. A horse was equipped to run with bells, and the harvests could be abundant.
This tradition remains still today. The name of the festival of Aoi comes from the tradition to offer géraniums ( aoi ) to the gods/spirits, and to decorate the temples, the participants and the carriages of ox with sheets of Géranium.

See too

Japanese Festivals and bank holidays

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