The Aoi-matsuri is a Kyoto
festival celebrated on May 15. Aoi is the Japanese
name for the hollyhock. The festival’s name derives from
using these flowers for different purposes for the festival.
People use this plant to decorate not only the carts used
in parades, but also as a prayer offering for a good harvest.
Many of those taking part in the festival don the historic
court dress of the Heian Period (794-1192 CE). As they
walk through the streets the spirit of those distant times
becomes almost palpable.
