Jidai Matsuri - Kyoto Japan Festival of Ages

The Kyoto Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) is held annually in Kyoto, Japan on October 22. The festival commemorates the transfer of the capital to Kyoto in 794 and was first held in 1895.

The Jidai Matsuri is one of Kyoto's renowned three great festivals, with the other two being the Aoi Matsuri, held annually on May 15th, and the Gion Matsuri, which is held annually from July 17th to 24th. The festival was originally created to raise Kyoto's moral after the loss of the capital and Imperial Court to Tokyo in 1868. It begins with the mikoshi (portable shrines) of the first and last Kyoto emperors being carried to the Old Imperial Palace, whereafter a procession of approximately 2000 then embarks on a 5 hour, 2 km route to the Heian Shrine, led by drums and fife bands.

The participants in the procession wear period costumes representing styles from throughout Kyoto's history, beginning with the modernized soldiers of the Meiji era, corresponding with the end of the Kyoto capital in 1868, back to the founding of the capital with characters from the Heian period.

Japanese Tea Ceremony - Traditional Ritual of Japan

Chanoyu (in Japanese: 茶の湯, meaning "hot water for tea"), the Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional ritual that became popular among merchants and warrior elites by the 16th century. Perhaps the most famous historical figure in tea history is Sen no Rikyu, who was active in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. In Japanese, the　te ceremony is also known as the way of tea" (in Japanese: 茶道 "Sado" or "Chado", using the kanjis for tea 茶 and way 道)

The doctrine of this tea ceremony is "Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur;" (in Japanese: 一期一会　 "Ichi Go. Ichi E") its main purpose is to welcome visitors and create a state of harmony between host and guest.

The ritual has a number of variations in the method of preparing the tea. For example, in winter, a person makes tea using a kettle on a fire pit set into the floor to keep the water boiling. In summer, they may use a big leaf as the lid of the water jar to suggest coolness. Everything, including all preparations, utensils, flowers and scrolls displayed and even clothing, is chosen to harmonize with the purpose of the tea gathering and the season.

A sweet cake is eaten before drinking green tea, in order to offset the slightly bitter flavor.