Jidai Matsuri

• Established: 1895
• Japanese: 時代祭 (jidai matsuri)

Jidai Matsuri, or "Festival of the Ages," is a major festival held annually in Kyoto on October 22 each year. First established in 1895, the same year as the establishment of Heian Shrine, the festival celebrates Kyoto's long history (and thus, that of the nation) through processions of individuals in costume of various historical periods, from the Heian period up through the Meiji Restoration.

The date of October 22 was chosen as the supposed anniversary of Emperor Kammu moving the capital to Heian (Kyoto) on that date in 794.

References

• Takashi Fujitani, Splendid Monarchy, UC Press (1998), 86.