Imamiya Shrine Sinkō Festival (Procession Festival)

　The 5th of May marks the Shinkō Festival at Imamiya Shrine. Its history is ancient, reportedly dating back to the year 1001.

　Three portable shrines—the Agui Mikoshi, the Taka Mikoshi and the Ōmiya Mikoshi—were prepared within the shrine grounds. The each weight of the Taka Mikoshi and the Ōmiya Mikoshi is said to exceed 100 kg, making them the heaviest in Kyoto.

　As Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second “Great Unifier” of Japan, played a pivotal role in the revival of Imamiya Shrine. The Ōmiya Mikoshi, which he donated, bears not only the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest but also the paulownia crests (Go-san-no-kiri crest)—a family crest passed down from the Imperial House to the Ashikaga Shogunate and then to the Toyotomi clan.

　The procession is scheduled to depart from the main shrine at 1 pm.