Jidai Matsuri, Kyoto

Samurai Archer - Jidai Matsuri, Kyoto

Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) was delayed by a day due to rain, but last Sunday it went ahead with a parade of around 2000 Japanese in traditional costumes.

Jidai Matsuri, Festival of Ages, in Kyoto, Japan

After a somewhat underwhelming Kurama Fire Festival I had a fantastic time photographing the various participants in the Jidai Matsuri.

Jidai Matsuri, Festival of Ages, in Kyoto, Japan

It was particularly interesting to see the number of horses in the parade. Yabusame (mounted) archers , along with various other riders had come over from Nara for the event. The following photo was an interesting example of the benefits of photographic cross training. Previous fashion / beauty shoots with a model and horse on the beach had taught me to look for shots of the rider beside the horse’s head rather than sitting on it’s back.