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Sadly, the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri no longer held. It used to be held annually on Nov. 3 (Culture Day) in Asakusa, Tokyo.the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Historical Periods) is a parade tracing the history of Tokyo with over 1,600 people dressed in the respective period's costume. This is the lead float playing music. It took about an hour for the parade to reach Kaminarimon Gate.

Lead Float: Edo festival music played by children. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai
先導　子供江戸囃子屋台

This page is a complete English guide to all the groups that appear in the parade. The parade assembles behind Sensoji Temple and starts at 1:30 pm from Nitenmon gate. The procession then goes down Umamichi-dori street, passes by Matsuya Department Store.先導　子供江戸囃子屋台

From Matsuya Department Store, the procession turns right into Kaminarimon-dori street which passes in front of the famous, giant red lantern called Kaminarimon Gate. Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. 先導子供江戸囃子屋台

Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. The names of the children playing are written on the red lanterns hanging above. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai 先導子供江戸囃子屋台

Tokyo Jidai Matsuri Banner and Tekomai geisha. From top to bottom, the banner reads, "Tokyo Jidai Matsuri." It marks the official and real start of the festival parade. The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. 東京時代祭本旗The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. Slight changes in the festival have been made since. Instead of two oiran courtesans, there is only one now. And at the end of the parade, the Asakusa Revue of showgirls used to be the anchor. But they are now gone.

東京時代祭本旗、手古舞

Bird's eye view of Asakusa with Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and Nakamise arcade.

Tekomai geisha existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari originally sung by lumberers hauling wood. 手古舞These tekomai did not sing, so they might not be real. When they sing, they hold a fan to their mouth.

手古舞

Green roofed Nakamise path to Sensoji temple in Asakusa.

Tekomai geisha costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" showing a flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag a wand."Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞

Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and intersection in Asakusa.

Tekomai geisha

Nakamise

Magistrate Procession 奉行

Tokyo Skytree

A magistrate (bugyo) in Edo could be a regional governor or government minister.

Tokyo Skytree

The 25th Asakusa Yabusame horseback archery was held on April 21, 2007 at Sumida Park.

Magistrate Procession 奉行

Parallel to Sumida River, the archery course is straight and narrow, stretching from the Tobu Line bridge to Kototoi Bridge.

Magistrate Procession. Bowing to Asakusa Temple.

The course has three targets which the archers will shoot arrows at.

Year 628: Two fishermen brothers find a golden Kannon buddha statue in Sumida River. The two fishermen were Hinokuma no Hamanari and Takenari. A wealthy landowner named Hajinomatsuchi heard about the statue and told the brothers about its religious value.He then built a small temple for the statue and the brothers converted to Buddhism. The temple eventually became today's Sensoji Temple (also called Asakusa Kannon Temple). Because of the temple, Asakusa developed and prospered and the two brothers and landlord are considered to be the founders of Asakusa.

Next to Sensoji Temple is Asakusa Shrine dedicated to these three men now deified. Asakusa Shrine holds the annual Sanja Matsuri in May, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals. Three portable shrines dedicated to these three men are carried around the streets of Asakusa. "Sanja" means three shrines or gods.

檜前浜成（ひのくまのはまなり）・竹成（たけなり）の兄弟の網に一体の小さなご仏像がかかりました。
東京のあけぼの　浅草観音示現

Raised dirt along the archery course.

First, the horses, archers, and attendants parade along the entire course.

Wooden targets

Golden Dragon Dance. 浅草のよろこび金龍の舞

Archer

According to legend, three days after the golden Kannon statue was found, a golden dragon descended from heaven and danced. The mountain name of the temple is Kinryu-zan, meaning Golden Dragon Mountain. (Most temples have a mountain name.)1 comments

Yabusame archer

Golden Dragon Dance was first performed in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of Sensoji's main worship hall. 浅草のよろこび金龍の舞

Golden Dragon Dance. No smoke or fire came out of the mouth. The dragon is 15 meters long, weighing about 80 kg. It has a bamboo frame, covered with cloth. Eight men use poles to manipulate the golden dragon.

Golden Dragon Dance

Entrance to the Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri festival site on Komatsu-bashi-dori near Asakusa, behind Sensoji temple. 小松橋通り

Cherry blossom pathUeno Park is one of Tokyo's major spots for cherry blossoms. Not very picturesque, but there are a lot of trees and people. The cherries at adjacent Shinobazu Pond are more picturesque.

Golden Dragon Dance

Festival banner. The Ichiyo Sakura Festival is held in April along the main Komatsu-bashi-dori street lined with Ichiyo cherry blossoms. These photos were taken on April 14, 2007. 小松橋通り

Deer skin

Trees in full bloom

Golden Dragon Dance

The festival lasts all day long, from morning until late afternoon. Incudes a flea market. 小松橋通り

Setting up the wooden target.

Golden Dragon Dance musicians

Stage entertainment held on one end of the street. 街角ステージ

Bull's eye. This is the third and last target along the course. It is quite difficult to hit all three targets, especially the last one.

Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan　在原業平　東下り

Ichiyo sakura cherry blossom trees line the street where the Oiran Dochu procession will proceed. 一葉桜

The horseback archer raises his bow and arrow high in the air as he nears the target.

Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan在原業平　東下り

Close-up of Ichiyo sakura cherry blossoms. "Ichiyo" means "one leaf." You can see that the flower actually has a small green leaf inside. 一葉桜

Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan. He was a Japanese waka poet and aristocrat. He was one of six waka poets referred in the preface in kana to Kokinshu by Ki no Tsurayuki. A woman portrays him. 在原業平東下り

Dancers under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo

At the starting point of the procession, the oiran gets ready to wear her high and heavy wooden clogs.

Arrow in mid-air. Asakusa Yabusame.

在原業平　東下り

Rock musicians

The star and main focus of the festival and procession, the oiran or tayu courtesan.

Dead on!

在原業平　東下り

Head of the Edo-Yoshiwara Oiran Dochu procession which started at 1:30 pm. 江戸吉原おいらん道中

The archers return to the starting point.

Forces of Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199), the founder and the 1st shogun of the Kamakura Period, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. He is said to have prayed at Asakusa Temple for victory over the Taira Clan to become shogun. 源頼朝　隅田川陣営源頼朝　隅田川陣営

Reserved flower-viewing spacePeople come early in the morning and stake out a prime picnicking space for their company or group to gather later in the day or in the evening.

The procession is headed by tekomai geisha who sing.

Minamoto no Yoritomo (Hatakeyama Shigetada). His prayers for victory were answered. 源頼朝　隅田川陣営 (畠山重忠)

Reserving flower-viewing spacePeople come early in the morning and stake out a prime picnicking space for their company or group to gather later in the day or in the evening.

Baton holder

Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝　隅田川陣営

The kamuro attendants precede the oiran.

Reserved flower-viewing space for the evening.People come early in the morning and stake out a prime picnicking space for their company or group to gather later in the day or in the evening.

Hojo Masako (1156-1225), wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, worships at Asakusa Temple. As the wife of the first shogun and mother of the second and third shoguns, she was a powerful lady. 北条政子浅草寺参拝

Oiran. Her wig and geta clogs weigh the same (about 7 kg or 15 pounds each) to keep her head and feet balanced. Her whole outfit weighs about 60 pounds (27 kg). That's why she needs his shoulder for support as she walks. 花魁

Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子　浅草寺参拝

A large crowd line the narrow street.

This is the second target at the center of the archery course. This is where the biggest crowd was.

Trash

Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple

Toward the Tokyo National Museum

Oiran Dochu procession, Ichiyo Sakura Festuval, Tokyo

Woman archer misses her target.

Tokyo Jidai Matsuri 三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Tokyo National Museum

Also see my video at YouTube.

The crowd favorite was this high school girl. See the arrow pierce the wooden target.

White Heron Dance, called Shirasagi no Mai, was revived in 1968 by the Asakusa tourist federation. Originating from the Heian Era, the dance was depicted in a picture scroll owned by the Sensoji Temple. 白鷺の舞It shows the dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation.

The dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.

It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.

白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

花魁道中

The scroll showed the White Heron Dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation. 白鷺の舞

It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.

白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Oiran Dochu procession, Ichiyo Sakura Festuval, Tokyo. Her obi sash is tied in the front in a knot called manaita-musubi.

Local high school girl proudly rides back to the starting point amid applause.

This White Heron Dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.

Unlike normal kimono, she wears the obi sashi in the front instead of the back. This is so that she can show off her beautiful obi which would otherwise be covered by the uchikake outer garment.

Woman archer

White Heron Dance is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa. The dance was revived in 1968 in Asakusa to mark the Meiji Period Centennial. It has been performed annually on Nov. 3 ever since. 白鷺の舞

Elaborate oiran wig weighing about 7 kg or 15 pounds.

White Heron Dance, Shirasagi no Mai. The eight white herons represent four male and four female herons.

White Heron Dance rear view

Four ladies in waiting called shinzo, follow the oiran. They are future oiran.

This is the first target which is near the starting point. Love it when the target shatters like that.

The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.

The Oiran Dochu procession proceeds slowly along the Ichiyo cherry-lined street.

The wooden target boards have an envelope of confetti stuck on the back so it explodes when the target breaks apart.

White Heron Dance in front of Kaminarimon Gate.1 comments

Bingo! Also see my YouTube video here.

White Heron Dance

Right after hitting the first target, the archer starts to pull out another arrow for the next target.

Sarutahiko, Guardian of the earth. 猿田彦三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Don't climb up any trees or step into the azalea bushes please. この叔父、つつじに入っちゃダメですよ。

White Heron Dance

The procession nears the main stage where the procession ends.

Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. This dance also originated in Asakusa by farmers who celebrated the completion of a tea house in Asakusa near the Asakusa Sensoji Temple. It is now a dance to celebrate a good harvest. びんざさら舞

びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

The oiran in clear view near the stage.

The Binzasara is a musical instrument made of 108 strips of white cedar wood strung together at the top. It is held on both ends and shaken in a wave motion to make a sharp wood clapping sound. It is also accompanied by drums as seen here.びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

They pose in front of the stage and bowed before going backstage.

Binzasara Dance三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Oiran and her attendants then performed a short but spectacular oiran show on the stage from about 2 pm. おいらんショー

Also at night, Ueno Park is hugely popular for hanami.

Binzasara Dance from Asakusa Shrine. They also throw confetti during the dance.This dance also originated in Asakusa by farmers who celebrated the completion of a tea house in Asakusa near the Asakusa Sensoji Temple. It is now a dance to celebrate a good harvest.

The Binzasara is a musical instrument made of small pieces of white cedar wood strung together at the top. It is held on both ends and shaken in a wave motion to make a sharp wood clapping sound.

びんざさら舞
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

The trees are not well lit, but small paper lanterns make it viewable.

Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

おいらんショー

Lot more people eating and drinking at night than during the day.

Sanja portable shrines on boats. Sanja means "Three Shrines." The three fishermen who found the Kannon buddha statue (the origin of Sensoji Temple) are deified by Asakusa Shrine next to Sensoji Temple. 三社大権現祭礼　船渡御This is the first portable shrine. The portable shrines used to be paraded in a boat.
三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Ueno Park at night

Asakusa Shrine holds the annual Sanja Matsuri in May, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals. Three portable shrines dedicated to these three fishermen are carried around the streets of Asakusa. "Sanja" means three shrines or gods. Portable shrineSecond and third portable shrines.

三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

The gold folding screen, koto music, and dance made it a real visual treat.

Second portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Neon lights near Ueno Park

Third portable shrine. 三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Oiran drinks sake.

Year 1457: Ota Dokan, initial builder of Edo Castle. 江戸開祖　太田道灌、従者・山吹娘

Ota Dokan, initial builder of Edo Castle. This is played by Shun'ichi Suzuki, the then governor of Tokyo. Body guards were around his float. He is dressed in a hunter's costume. Behind him is an attendant named Yamabuki.江戸開祖　太田道灌、従者・山吹娘1 comments

1608: Ieyasu orders Edo Castle expansion: Rock-hauling procession. Big boulders were hauled from Izu Peninsula's east coast. 江戸城築城　お石曵き

Lighting a tobacco pipe. (Real smoke)

Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. 江戸城築城　お石曵き

Her customer smokes the pipe.

Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession江戸城築城　お石曵き

Oiran dances.

Edo Castle construction: Rock-hauling procession. Not a real boulder.

Year 1590: Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. His procession. 徳川家康　江戸入府

Back view

Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康　江戸入府

Lord Ii Naomasa, a right-hand man of Tokugawa Ieyasu and major ally in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Based in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. 井伊直政徳川家康　江戸入府

Year 1603: Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun. He designates Asakusa Temple as a place of worship, and he worships there himself in 1616. Behind him is his son Tokugawa Hidetada who became the second Tokugawa shogun. 徳川家康江戸入府

Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo and founds the Tokugawa or Edo Period that lasted until 1868.徳川家康　江戸入府

I was shooting like rapid-fire continuous mode.

Inner palace women. 大奥御殿女中

Oiran dances with her kamuro attendants

Inner palace women 大奥御殿女中

Inner palace women

Great show

Inner palace women

Very colorful under the sun.

1649: Tokugawa Iemitsu. In 1649 during his reign as shogun, Asakusa Shrine was built. 徳川家光　三社権現社再建寄進

Spectacular kimono

1635: Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu. The daimyo was a warlord who owned and supervised a fief. Tokugawa Iemitsu started the Sankin kotai system where all daimyo were required to visit Edo annually at great expense. 参勤交代　大名行列The daimyo was a warlord who owned and supervised a fief. Tokugawa Iemitsu started the Sankin kotai system where all daimyo were required to visit Edo annually at great expense since they traveled in a large contingent.

参勤交代　大名行列

Oiran have their obi sash tied in the front instead of the back like geisha in Kyoto.

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu. "Gyoretsu" means procession. It was a great expense since they traveled in a large contingent. 参勤交代　大名行列

Her obi sash is also very ornate.

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代　大名行列

I can only wonder how much this kimono costs.

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu in front of Kaminarimon Gate.参勤交代　大名行列

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu参勤交代　大名行列

At the end of the oiran show, they posed for photographers.

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu参勤交代　大名行列

Also see my video at YouTube.

Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu palanquin. This is how the daimyo traveled--in a comfortable box hand-carried by men. 参勤交代　大名行列

Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance. The Genroku Period was 1688-1704, a time of cultural flowering among the masses. 元禄花見踊り

Kamuro

Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り

After the oiran show, the Oiran Dochu procession is held again for the return trip from 3 pm.

Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance

The procession passes by Ichiyo sakura trees.

Year 1702: The 47 masterless retainers arrive to avenge their lord. In 1701 in the shogun's palace, Lord Asano Naganori draws his sword in a fit of anger and cuts Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking master of protocol who had mocked Asano.Asano was immediately forced to commit ritual seppuku. At the end of the following year, his 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku. This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura."

義士の討ち入り

Oiran Dochu procession, Tokyo

On Dec. 14, 1702, Asano's 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku.義士の討ち入り

Oiran Dochu procession, Tokyo

This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り

1717: Firemen's Acrobatics. Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (1677-1751) and Edo Fire Brigade. Ooka was a famous Edo magistrate who organized fire brigades in Edo. 大岡越前守と江戸町火消

Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消

Before crossing the busy intersection, oiran takes off her clogs to wear normal slippers.

Firemen's Acrobatics大岡越前守と江戸町火消

Her attendants keep her steady as she changes her footwear.

Firemen's Acrobatics大岡越前守と江戸町火消

Be sure to see my video at YouTube.

Clogs

Seven Gods of Good Fortune　浅草市村座七福神舞浅草市村座七福神舞

She put her clogs again and completed her return trip.

1624: Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. Kabuki was started in the early Edo Period in 1624. Later, Edo's three licensed kabuki theaters named the Nakamura-za, Ichimura-za, and Morita-za were relocated to Asakusa in an area called Saruwaka."Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座　江戸歌舞伎

The name of her teahouse was Matsubaya which was the last teahouse in the Yoshiwara district.

Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki. "Sanza" means three theaters. 猿若三座　江戸歌舞伎猿若三座　江戸歌舞伎

Saruwaka Sanza, Edo Kabuki猿若三座　江戸歌舞伎

Bravo!

Oiran Dochu Procession. This picture was taken next to the Sensoji Temple behind which the parade starts. Before, one oiran courtesan rode in a rickshaw. 花の吉原おいらん道中花の吉原おいらん道中