[Kimono Style] Kyoto Jidai Matsuri: A Catwalk of Trend By the Ages

Lastly this autumn we’re seeing among the fashionable Japanese festivals being held once more, after a break of three years because of COVID-19. Kawagoe held their Jidai Matsuri, or “competition of ages,” lately. And on October 22 Kyoto held its personal annual Jidai Matsuri. 

Though the competition doesn’t have a protracted historical past in comparison with celebrations equivalent to the numerous centuries-old Gion Matsuri, this competition of ages is among the three hottest festivals in Kyoto. 

Began in 1895, the competition celebrates the founding of Kyoto by Emperor Kammu in 794. 

The Parade is the Star of the Jidai Matsuri

The occasion facilities round a protracted parade with about 2,000 volunteers who’re wearing costumes from all through Japanese historical past. The costumes are very authentically reproduced. In consequence, it’s like historical past parading earlier than one’s eyes. 

The parade begins on the Kyoto Imperial Palace, goes south down Karasuma Road, after which turns east on Sanjo. Lastly, it enters Heian Shrine, which is the founder and sponsor of the occasion. 

Every neighborhood sends its group of warriors. And plenty of college college students additionally volunteer. The mayor and different dignitaries of Kyoto Metropolis experience in a Nineteenth-century carriage on the entrance of the parade and put on a historic official gown. 

Evidently, a whole lot of dressers are required on today. A few of my mates have been dressing samurai or different characters for the parade.

Touring By the Historical past of Trend within the Jidai Matsuri

The parade begins with the Meiji era after which steadily goes again in time. The Meiji foot troopers had leggings and quick hakama (Japanese-style trousers). However they carried weapons, which have been imported from Western nations. 

Behind them got here the primary band of Edo warriors in longer and fewer colourful hakama. They have been adopted by well-known warriors and a few girls of the Edo noble class, who would have lived shut up in Edo. 

Behind them got here the Momoyama and Muromachi intervals. Throughout these instances the kimono was not worn with an obi. The warrior elite was extremely adorned even in these earlier intervals.

 

When the ladies of decrease rank appeared, they have been carrying quick and free kimono tied with lengthy, woven ties, and so they carried sticks on their heads. They’d white cotton head covers. Their easy clothes have been fantastically tie-dyed in fairly putting however much less advanced patterns than are seen in later interval clothes. 

In direction of the top of the parade have been the noble girls of the Heian period of their junihitoe, actually 12-layered kimono. Some girls of earlier intervals had clothes that have been fantastically tie-dyed. Their hairstyles have been completely different from later types, equivalent to having two excessive buns or a excessive stick of a bun in the course of the top. Their hair was adorned with leaves and their faces have been painted white. 

Clearly, there have been brilliant and colourful methods to decorate, even in historical Japan.

A Competition Celebrating Warriors and Ladies Alike

There have been many noble historic figures on the competition. It was not at all times straightforward to make sure who was who, however amongst all of the handsomely clad warriors have been some notable feminine characters. 

Traditionally, with quite a few clan wars, the well-known figures are usually nobles and warriors. So it was thrilling to see the ladies celebrated. 

Representing the early Edo interval the founding father of kabuki, Izumo no Okuni and her dancers appeared. They have been fantastically decked out with white-painted faces and richly dyed and woven clothes. Their kosode (kimono) have been worn underneath closely woven tunics with golden threads in them. 

Going again to the center ages, the well-known feminine warrior Tomoe Gozen, stated to be a fantastic archer in addition to a swordsman, appeared seated on a white horse. She was wearing full armor along with her naginata and bow and arrows. 

My private heroine, the Heian interval author, Sei Shonagon was using on a dias along with her up to date, one other well-known author, Murasaki Shikibu. Girl Murasaki is credited with authoring the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji.

Jidai Matsuri’s Transportation Too Dressed to its Most interesting

Numerous technique of transport have been additionally on show. The horses had brilliant tassels and braids, and elaborately made saddles. 

An ox had horns adorned with purple threads and an enormous rope knotted on its head. Behind it got here the gosho guruma, an ox cart for nobles to experience in. It was additionally fantastically adorned and coated with straw screens to cover the occupants from view. 

A black lacquered palanquin was additionally on show. It was richly adorned with gold leaf and metalwork. It was match for a noble to experience, however should have been a decent squeeze and even empty should have weighed a substantial quantity.

The competition is a sight for textile lovers’ eyes. Even the cotton leggings of the decrease courses had stencil-dyed patterns on them. And the upper-ranking folks had gorgeously adorned outfits. 

Armour, helmets, and headdresses have been extremely elaborate and confirmed the talents of the craftsmen who produced them. Males have been as colourful and extremely adorned as girls. 

Braiding, stencil, and tie-dyeing, weaving and brocades, splendid armor and decorations: Japan’s colourful clothes historical past might all be seen in sooner or later!

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Creator: Sheila Cliffe 

Discover different columns on kimono by creator Sheila Cliffe, here.