Seasonal Festivals and Kyoto: Events in a City Where Traditional Culture Lives On

1. The Origins of the Solar Terms and Their Connection to Kyoto

Kyoto has long flourished as the center of Japanese culture and politics. As a result, the observances of the solar terms developed around the Imperial Court and temples and shrines, and they continue to live on today in Kyoto's customs and festivals. Especially in Kyoto, where the aristocratic culture of the Heian period remains deeply rooted, the solar terms are not merely annual events but have been passed down in connection with a refined sense of beauty and spirituality.

2. Customs of the Five Solar Terms in Kyoto

① The Solar Term of the Seven Herbs (Nanakusa) and Kyoto

At temples and shrines in Kyoto, there is a custom of serving seven-herb porridge as the final event of the New Year. In particular, at Kamigamo Shrine, a "Seven-Herb Porridge Hospitality" event is held, and it is sometimes served to worshippers. Furthermore, seven-herb porridge made with traditional Kyoto vegetables is considered special not only for its rich flavor but also for its significance in praying for good health and freedom from illness.

② The Solar Term of the Hina Dolls (Hinamatsuri) and Kyoto

Kyoto's Hinamatsuri is celebrated not only with decorations in ordinary homes but also with magnificent displays of Hina dolls at temples, shrines, and museums. In particular, at Shimogamo Shrine, a ritual called "Nagashi-bina" is held, where paper Hina dolls placed on wooden floats are floated down the Kamo River to ward off misfortune. Originating from the "Hina-asobi" played by aristocrats in the Heian period, this tradition continues today as a uniquely Kyoto event.

Furthermore, when it comes to Kyoto's Hina dolls, Gosho Dolls and Kyo-hina are famous. Kyo-hina dolls are characterized by their plump faces compared to Edo-style Hina dolls, and their costumes are often particularly elegant.

③ The Solar Term of the Boy's Festival (Children's Day) and Kyoto: Heian Juisui's Armor and Helmet

Kyoto has several traditional events associated with the Boy's Festival. For example, Hakuhoku Shrine is also revered as a deity of martial arts. Offerings of martial arts and archery are sometimes held as "Ancient Martial Arts Offerings." This is derived from the fact that the Boy's Festival originally carried the meaning of "revering martial arts."

Furthermore, on the Boy's Festival, there is a custom of displaying armor and helmets to pray for the healthy growth of boys. Heian Juisui (Heian Juisui) comes from a lineage of traditional Kyoto armor makers and produces armor and helmets that combine high craftsmanship with elegant designs.

Heian Juisui's armor and helmets are known not merely as decorative items but as authentic traditional crafts that resemble actual armor. Their features include the following:

• Inheriting traditional Kyoto armor-making techniques: Characterized by intricate detailing and dignified metal fittings.
• Elegant designs: Possessing a refined beauty unique to Kyoto.
• Actually wearable: They make armor that can actually be worn, not just for viewing.

These armor and helmets are highly valued not only as decorations for the Boy's Festival but also as a continuation of samurai culture, and they are masterpieces imbued with the skills of Kyoto armor makers.

④ The Solar Term of Tanabata and Kyoto

When it comes to Kyoto's Tanabata, light-ups and events are held throughout the city as "Kyoto's Tanabata." The most famous are the Tanabata decorations along the Horikawa and Kamo Rivers, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

Furthermore, at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, a "Tanabata Festival" is held, and in honor of Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, there is a custom of writing wishes on strips of paper and offering them. It is a uniquely Kyoto Tanabata scene visited by many examinees praying for success in their studies.

⑤ The Solar Term of the Chrysanthemum and Kyoto

In Kyoto, the custom of decorating with chrysanthemums on the Chrysanthemum Solar Term is deeply rooted. Chrysanthemum exhibitions are held at various temples and shrines, including Kamigamo Shrine, and beautiful chrysanthemums adorn the grounds. "Kisewata," which began as a court ritual in the Heian period, involves placing silk floss on chrysanthemum flowers on the eve of the Chrysanthemum Solar Term. By the next morning, the silk floss absorbs the night dew and the fragrance of the chrysanthemums, and it is passed down primarily in the Kansai region, including Kyoto, as a ritual where people wipe their bodies with the floss to pray for good health and longevity.

3. Summary: The Charm of the Solar Terms Experienced in Kyoto

Kyoto is a city where traditional Japanese culture remains deeply rooted, and the five solar terms are also passed down not merely as events, but as special occasions deeply connected to history and customs. Through these events—Kamigamo Shrine's seven-herb porridge, Shimogamo Shrine's Nagashi-bina, the matsuri of the Gion Festival, Kitano Tenmangu's Tanabata, and the Chrysanthemum Solar Term rituals—you can feel the profound depth of Kyoto's solar terms.

Furthermore, Kyoto has a craftsman culture where traditional skills are still alive, and those skills are also utilized in Heian Juisui's solar term decorations. Through such culture, you can experience the elegant solar terms unique to Kyoto.

Why not experience the traditions of the five solar terms in Kyoto yourself?