Most viewed - KYOTO 京都府 |
A geisha/geiko and maiko head to the theater to see the Kamogawa Odori. Notice the different obi sash on the back.2234 viewsA maiko is an apprentice geisha. Her obi sah on the back is long, as well as her sleeves.
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Visited a Tango chirimen company called Tayuh Textile Co., Ltd. (Tayuh Kigyo 田勇機業株式会社). 2104 viewshttp://www.tayuh.jp/
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Tayuh Textile Co.'s chirimen textile factory in Kyotango.2104 views
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Lobby of Tayuh Textile Co.1972 views
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Also watch my Karuta hajime video here.1368 views
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1133 views
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Geiko and maiko in front of Pontocho Kaburenjo theater1069 views
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Video of our group photo exhibition at Kyoto International Community House during Nov. 16-20, 2011. Seven artists exhibited: Micah Gampel, Peter Macintosh, Motoyasu "Musashi" Matsutani. We talk about our work in this 25-min. vid.1050 views
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Court ladies called uneme. Their kimono have a blue wave design. 釆女1018 views釆女
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.883 views
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"Nanohanaya"843 views
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Court ladies called myobu. 命婦833 views
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827 views
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One of Kyoto's Big Three Festivals, the Kyoto Jidai Matsuri is a procession of over 2,000 people dressed in wardrobe reflecting Kyoto's historical periods from 794 to 1868 during which Kyoto was Japan's capital. Held annually on Oct. 22.776 views
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Court lady called myobu. 命婦762 views
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"Nanohanaya" (Rape blossoms) 菜の花や749 views
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These dance photos were taken in April 2002. Note that taking pictures and videos of the dance are no longer allowed.745 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna. 騎女740 views
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714 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ712 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ700 viewsThis is a maiko.
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Maiko and geisha can often be seen in Gion.685 views
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679 views
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Karyobinga 迦陵頻伽674 views
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Sakamoto Ryoma 坂本龍馬661 views
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648 views
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626 views
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Part 2: Passing of Spring in Kyoto, "Nanohanaya" (Rape blossoms) 菜の花や623 viewsPart 2 of the program consists of dance numbers.
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Maiko poses in front of the Naginata-boko float across the street in Kyoto598 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ588 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ580 views
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The Saio-dai Princess in 2005 was Saito Ayako, a 21-year-old Kyoto native and student at Doshisha Univ. Her 12-layer juni-hitoe kimono weighs 30 kg. 斎王代、齋藤彩子さん(21)572 viewsThe Saio-dai Princess is selected every year in April and a press conference is held to announce who was chosen. She is always a native of Kyoto, single, and in her early 20s. The Saio-dai was first incorporated in the festival in 1956. In 2005, she is the 50th Saio-dai.
Read more about here.
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512 views
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She wears a juni-hitoe kimono and rides in a carriage called Oyoyo. 斎王代、齋藤彩子さん (21)509 views腰輿(およよ)
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From the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the procession proceeds on main roads to Heian Shrine.484 views
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Ninomaru Palace entrance, National Treasure 二之丸御殿473 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ468 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.448 views騎女
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Entrance to the road leading to the Cherry Dance theater (Gion Kobu Kaburenjo) in the Gion district. The sign says "Miyako Odori."432 views
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Kawaii!!410 views
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Turning the hoko float at the Kyoto Gion Matsuri.401 views
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The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) was the emperor's residence from the 14th century to 19th century. This is the main path to the palace where major festivals such as the Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri are held.401 views
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Map and about the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.399 views
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One of Kyoto's Big Three Festivals held on May 15. The Aoi Matsuri's colorful procession of over 500 people in Heian-Period costumes start off at the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and head for the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. 394 viewsKyoto Gosho Imperial Palace 京都御所: The first ox carriage waits for the procession to start. The ox carriage is called a gissha. 牛車
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Kameyama Castle was built by Akechi Mitsuhide in the 16th century as his base for his conquered Tanba region.385 views
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The procession basically consists of two columns: The Hon-retsu which includes the procession's highest-ranking official called Chokushi. It consists of men. The second and longer column is the Saio-dai-retsu consisting of women.385 views
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Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is near this JR Inari Station on the Nara Line, a 5-min. train ride from Kyoto Station. Also near Fushimi-Inari Station on Keihan Line.380 views
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The Saio-dai Retsu column begins. Consists of all women, highlighted by the Saio-dai Princess.374 views
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Cherry Dance, Kyoto.374 views
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373 views
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368 views
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Saio-dai Princess procession. 斎王代350 views
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Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto on Jan. 3, 2011. Still hordes of people going to worship for New Year's hatsumode.348 views
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Approaching Nishi Hongwanji, the headquarters temple of the Jodo Shinshu Sect (Hongwanji school) in Kyoto. A short walk from Kyoto Station. This is New Year's Day, Jan 1, 2010.347 views
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Miyako Odori, Kyoto342 views
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These men are descendants of the original archers who protected Emperor Kammu. 弓箭組列331 views
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Model of Kyoto Imperial Palace.330 views
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Kyoto geiko and maiko at their best for the finale.326 views
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Naginata Hoko and chigo child 稚児318 views長刀鉾
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Yoshino Tayu, a high-ranking geiko entertainer. 吉野太夫318 views
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Scale model of the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.315 views
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Flower umbrella313 views
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Nijo-jo castle was built on the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu to serve as the Kyoto residence for the Tokugawa shoguns. Although it does not have a castle tower, Nijo-jo Castle is Japan's best preserved and most magnificent castle palace.311 viewsSeinan-sumi (Southwest corner) Turret is the first castle building you see when you walk from the station. Important Cultural Property 西南隅櫓
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Path to Kiyomizu-dera is a slope lined with souvenir shops, a tourist trap.308 views
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These portraits come from a larger exhibition at the Oyako Gallery in JR Maibara Station in northern Shiga Prefecture until March 2012.306 views
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Hiunkaku Pavilion is a National Treasure. Unfortunately, it is not open for public viewing. One of Kyoto's Three Best Pavilions along with Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji Pavilions. 飛雲閣301 views
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3D map of Kyoto Imperial Palace and the route we were allowed to take. For this special occasion of Emperor Akihito's 20th anniversary, we were also allowed to tour the northern palace quarters which is normally closed to the public.292 views
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Flower umbrella called furyu-gasa. 風流傘291 viewsFlowers are artificial.
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PR poster for the Kamogawa Odori geisha dance held during May 1-24 in Pontocho.291 views
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290 views
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We were right near the hanamichi where the geisha performed.288 views
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"Miyako Odori" poster in English.279 views
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On July 16, the night before the Gion Matsuri Yamaboko Junko parade of floats, the Yoiyama display of floats lit up at night attract huge crowds in central Kyoto. You can also enter some of the grand floats.273 views
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265 views
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Inside the theater, waiting for the start of the 168th Kamogawa Odori (in 2005) to start.263 views
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High-ranking lady of the court262 views
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Pontocho Kaburenjo theater260 views
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A hanamichi is also on the left side of the theater.258 views
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Line at the bus stop. The buses did not come so frequently. So I just walked back to the nearest subway station.255 views
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254 views
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Part 1 Monogusa Soshi: Taro's Shack. Lazy Taro does nothing but compose poems all day in his shack. 物ぐさ草紙 太郎の小屋254 viewsThe first half is a musical play with a storyline.
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Flower umbrella253 viewsThese flower umbrellas are mainly for decorative purposes, to add more color to the procession.
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The wooden wheels creak like they did centuries ago.252 views
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Entrance to Pontocho Kaburenjo theater. You can buy tickets for the day's performance.251 views
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Castle map250 views
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Karamon Gate, Important Cultural Property. 唐門249 views
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Pontocho Kaburenjo theater as seen from Kamogawa River.249 views
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The eighth and last corkboard panel showed photos of various rowing clubs rowing around Lake Biwa. Imazu Jr. High Rowing Club, Kyoto University Rowing Club, and a FISA tour.249 views
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Taro's Shack248 views
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246 views
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Otsukaiban is a Meiji government administrator serving as an inspector. 御使番245 views
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Most take the train from Arashiyama, then ride the boat back.244 views
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Way to Kyoto Ebisu Shrine during Toka Ebisu as seen from Shijo.244 views
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Geisha in my midst, in a taxi instead of a rickshaw.244 views
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242 views
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242 views
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Ox carriage with plum blossoms dangling from the roof.241 views
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End of show, see you next year in May!241 views
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Juni-hitoe kimono worn by the empress.237 views
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Pulling a float at the Kyoto Gion Matsuri.236 views
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Ninomaru Garden234 views
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Gion Matsuri is one of Japan's grandest festivals. Held annually in July, the festival's climax is on the 17th and 24th when giant, wooden-wheeled floats are pulled through the streets.234 viewsThis is at the starting point of the Yamahoko Junko procession on July 17.
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Note that taking pictures and videos are not allowed.234 views
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Kamogawa River next to the theater.233 views
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More signposts reading "Miyako Odori." "Miyako" means capital (Kyoto was once Japan's capital city), and "Odori" means dance.233 views
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Pontocho Kaburenjo theater, venue for Kamogawa Odori.232 views
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Norijiri horseman leads the procession. 乗尻228 viewsThe procession, called Roto-no-Gi (路頭の儀), is actually one of three rites performed during the festival.
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Honmaru Palace as seen from the castle tower foundation226 viewsImportant Cultural Property
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Pontocho is a narrow alley and known as a geisha district.225 views
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Kiyomizu-dera temple on wooden stilts. Kiyomizu-dera belongs to its own independent Buddhist sect.224 views
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Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. Ticket office is on the right. Best to buy tickets at least a few days in advance.223 views
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Palace entrance roof221 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna. 騎女221 viewsThey escort the Saio-dai Princess.
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Long line for the bus stop.221 views
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220 views
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Visitors watch and hum along with the Lake Biwa Rowing music video on an iPad.220 views
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219 views
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斎王代218 views
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The cherry dance consists of several acts each with a different dance or play.218 views
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Verse 4. From Imazu, the boys rowed across the lake and most likely took a break at Chikubushima island in the middle of northern Lake Biwa. It has been a sacred island for centuries with Hogonji Buddhist temple (宝厳寺) first built in 724.216 views
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Everyone is dressed in Heian-Period (794-1185) costumes.215 views
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Tonan-sumi Turret from the street214 views
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Ichiriki, a famous geisha tea house.214 views
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Kiyomizu-dera is the 16th temple in the Saigoku Western Japan pilgrimage circuit. The Hondo main hall dates from 1633.214 views
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213 views
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"Nanohanaya" (Rape blossoms) 菜の花や212 views
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The bull was mooing all the time and was very restless.211 viewsDo bulls moo or do they snort? This was making a loud noise.
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Hollyhock (aoi) leaves 葵210 views
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210 views
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Kameoka Station209 views
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Gate to Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. Four shows daily in April, lasting about 1 hour (too short). Ticket prices range from 1900 yen to 4300 yen.209 views
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No. 4 official of the old police force and court justice called Kebiishi-no-sakan 検非違使志208 views検非違使志
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Minami-mon (South) Gate 南門207 views
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Torokko train at Arashiyama for Hozu Gorge207 views
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Court lady called myobu. 命婦205 views
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Saio-dai Princess procession. 斎王代204 views
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Saio-dai Princess riding on a special palanquin called Oyoyo. 斎王代 腰輿(およよ)204 views腰輿(およよ)
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204 views
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East Bridge to Honmaru and Honmaru Yagura-mon Gate203 views
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All finish203 views
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203 views
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Tonan-sumi (Southeast corner) Turret 東南隅櫓202 views
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Tonan-sumi (Southeast corner) Turret 東南隅櫓202 views
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Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate (Main entrance), Important Cultural Property 二之丸東大手門202 views
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Ninomaru Kita Otemon Gate201 viewsImportant Cultural Property
二之丸北大手門
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.201 views騎女
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Norijiri horseman leads the procession. 乗尻201 views
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Over 500 people in the procession walk along the 8-kilometer route.200 viewsThere's a lunch break at around noon at Shimogamo Shrine.
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Huge crowd200 views
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I visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine on Jan. 1, 2010. At the Kyoto City Tourist Info office, I asked which shrine was Kyoto's most popular on New Year's Day. They told me it was this shrine, so I came here.200 views
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The procession's highest-ranking official called Chokushi. An Imperial Messenger. The horse is highly decorated. 勅使199 views
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One of six court dancers called maibito. 舞人198 views
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"Miyako Odori" poster and paper lantern.198 views
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198 views
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Honmaru Palace197 viewsImportant Cultural Property
本丸御殿
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End of the gorge197 views
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"Miyako Odori" sign post. Performed for over a century, the dance makes April a very special time in Kyoto. It helps to hone the dance and musical skills of the geiko and maiko who diligently practice for this annual dance.196 views
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Honmaru Palace195 viewsImportant Cultural Property
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Mother scolds the daughter for the scuffle with Taro.195 views
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195 views
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Ninomaru Palace, National Treasure 二之丸御殿194 views
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Ninomaru Palace side view facing the garden. National Treasure194 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna. They escort the Saio-dai Princess.194 views騎女
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ194 views
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Musician called baiju. There are seven of them wearing the same wardrobe. 陪従194 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.193 views騎女
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Goeido Founder's Hall193 views
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Site of Ryukoku Museum across from Nishi Hongwanji.193 views
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193 views
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The Heian Period was when Kyoto was the capital of Japan where the Emperor resided.192 views
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Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto192 views
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Kishima Shrine has koma-neko cat guardians because silk farmers in the 19th century kept cats to protect their precious silkworms and cocoons from rats. Rats were a major problem for the silk industry.192 viewsThey ate the silk cocoons and worms. So cats saved the local silk industry.
The left cat is the mother (holding a kitten), and right cat is the father. Also respectively "A" and "un."
These koma-neko cat guardian statues were donated in 1832 by silk merchants and wholesalers such as the Tonomura family (外村家一族、岩滝のちりめん問屋、山家屋の小室利七) who were textile merchants from Higashi-Omi (Gokasho), Shiga Prefecture.狛猫
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Tonan-sumi (Southeast corner) Turret, Important Cultural Property 東南隅櫓191 views
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"Heian" comes from "Heian-kyo," the former name of Kyoto city.191 views
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Gate to Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. You can make ticket reservations by phone, or go directly to the theater ticket office and buy tickets.191 views
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191 views
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Tonan-sumi (Southeast corner) Turret 東南隅櫓190 views
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Ninomaru Garden190 views
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Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto. Inch by inch, we crept toward the main shrine on New Year's Day.190 views
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Magistrate's House189 views
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189 views
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PR posters and paper lanterns for the Miyako Odori are everywhere.188 views
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188 views
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A real crowd pleaser. Thanks for posing!188 views
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Moat between Ninomaru (left) and Honmaru (right)187 viewsEast Bridge in the distance.
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187 views
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187 views
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Wedding attire of the empress wearing juni-hitoe kimono, and the emperor wearing sokutai. 187 views
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Top of castle tower foundation186 views天守閣跡
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Ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine. 下鴨神社186 viewsThe public is not allowed to see the ceremony within the shrine.
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"Irises" 菖蒲186 views
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186 views
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Ninomaru Palace side view facing the garden.185 views
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Warehouse wall185 views
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Kiyomizu-dera Gate185 views
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No. 3 official of the old police force and court justice called Kebiishi-no-jo 検非違使尉184 views検非違使尉
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184 views
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A play184 views
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Inside the Goeido Hall. You have to take off your shoes to enter. This was on Jan. 1, 2010. 御影堂183 views
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182 views
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182 views
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Whoa!182 views
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Naginata float at night182 views
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Stone foundation181 views
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The Saio-dai Princess is the main figure of the procession. She represents the Imperial princess who worked at the Kamo Shrine and served in the Aoi Festival during the Heian Period.181 views腰輿(およよ)
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181 views
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Karuta Hajime on the Noh stage at Yasaka Jinja Shrine, Kyoto on Jan. 3, 2011181 views
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"Nanohanaya"180 views
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180 views
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180 views
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10:30 am: Starting point at Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace 京都御所 出発179 viewsThe procession is ready to depart.
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Climax with cherry blossom motif.179 views
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179 views
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Gishumon Gate, the entrance to Kyoto Imperial Palace when it is open to the public in spring and fall. During Nov. 1-10, 2009, anyone could freely enter. Normally, you have to apply (send in a form) to be able to take a tour of the palace. 宜秋門179 views
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Guard house178 views
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The Aoi Matsuri started in the early Heian Period in the 8th century as a national or state-sponsored event.178 views
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Main stage at front.178 views
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177 views
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Maiko pose177 views
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176 views
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176 views
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Foundation of castle tower175 views天守閣跡
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175 views
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175 views
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The Naginata Hoko is the only one with a live sacred child called "Chigo."175 views長刀鉾
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Sanjusangendo in Kyoto is famous for its numerous Kannon statues.175 views
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174 views
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Ogre posing174 views
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Following the Saio-dai Princess are more high-ranking ladies of the court.174 views
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Starting at 9 am, the Naginata Hoko float always leads the procession. 長刀鉾174 views
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Gion Matsuri poster for 2004.174 views
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Pagoda and maiko174 views
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Ryoanji temple in Kyoto has Japan's most famous rock garden. 174 views
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Guard house and Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate (Main entrance) 二之丸東大手門173 views
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173 views
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Barrels of sake next to the theater.173 views
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Top of castle tower foundation172 views天守閣跡
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"Irises" 菖蒲 She rises from beneath the stage.172 views
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172 views
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172 views
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Kyoto Station172 views
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Way to Shimogamo Shrine.172 views
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My favorite sight at Higashi Hongwanji in Kyoto is these giant ropes made of donated human hair. The ropes were used to reconstruct the temple during dire times.172 views
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Next to the geisha photos was Philbert Ono's cove of photos introducing the Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta).172 views
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The Aoi Matsuri (Festival) used to be called Kamo-sai, after the name of the two shrines which hold the festival.171 views賀茂祭
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171 views
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Even before evening comes, a large crowd stop to see the Naginata-boko float at Shijo-Karasuma.171 views
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Naginata float at night171 views
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170 views
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna. 騎女170 views
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Seishomon Gate was the exit. This is the gate normally used by the public. In the old days, it was the palace's "kitchen door" since it was used as a service entrance. It was also used by Imperial children. 清所門170 views
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