Aoi Matsuri: Saiō-Dai Lady Arriving at Kamigamo Shrine. 

Today the annual Aoi Matsuri (葵祭) was held here in Kyoto, the old heir capital of Japan. The Saiō-Dai Lady (斎王代) and her entourage is seen here entering the Kamigamo shrine (上賀茂神社) in Kyoto. This is the final destination of this exquisite matsuri and the end of a long day for the participants. This year the role of the Saiō-Dai Lady (斎王代) is presented by miss Shirai Yū Tasuku (白井 優佐). She is be dressed in the traditional style of the Heian court. Traditional Heian court dress for women would be wearing several layers of exquisitely coloured silk robes. The Saiō-Dai wears twelve layers of the traditional style robes (jūnihitoe).