Aoi Matsuri - Saio-dai (斎王代)

Posted by MShades (Kyoto, Japan) on 3 June 2008 in People & Portrait.

In the origin of the festival, the Emperor sent his daughter to serve at the shrine. After many years of training, she would become a head priestess. This tradition continued for almost 400 years until the 13th century.

The kimono she's wearing as new as of this year, which is apparently a big thing.