User:Deivira/sandbox

Aoi Matsuri changes sandbox

History
The festival is named after the hollyhock (aoi) leaves used as decoration throughout the celebration as well as offerings to the gods. During the Heian Period, these leaves were once believed to protect against natural disasters such as earthquakes and thunder, and were often hung under the roofs of homes for protection. [4, existing source, unsure if still needed because first source provides more specific detail] Although due to the rarity of the hollyhock plant, other plants have been used in the festival instead, such as the leaves of the katsura tree.

Festival events
There are two parts to Aoi Matsuri: the procession (rotō-no-gi) and the shrine rites.

The procession is led by the Imperial Messenger. Following the imperial messenger are: two oxcarts, four cows, thirty-six horses, and six hundred people.[4, existing source] The 600 people are all dressed in the traditional costumes of Heian nobles (ōmiyabito), while the oxcart (gissha) is adorned with artificial wisteria flowers.