Photo= A part of the illustration depicts the Okuribi bonfire "I" (center), which seems to have been discontinued during the Meiji Period (Otani University Museum, Kita Ward, Kyoto)

A special exhibition titled "Miyako no Nenju-gyoji," or annual events of the ancient capital Kyoto, which retrospectively looks at the seasonal events of Kyoto, including Gion Festival, "Gozan Okuribi" bonfire and others, through materials from the Edo Period, is being held at Otani University Museum in Kita Ward, Kyoto. A picture scroll depicting a scene from the Gion festival's float parade, an illustration recording an "Okuribi" event held around the area of Ichihara in Sakyo Ward, and other items are on display.

Approximately 40 items are on display in the hall. Various events, ranging from "Hatsumode," or the first shrine visit of the New Year, to "Susuharai," or the year-end cleaning of temples, are introduced through books, scroll pictures, folding screens and other items of those days.

"Shiki no Ezoshi," which is a seasonal picture scroll in two volumes describing various rituals, depicts the "Tsuki Hoko" float procession of "Saki-Matsuri," or the former festival of the Gion Festival, and local people watching the procession under the eaves. An illustration of the "Naginata Hoko" float pulled by many people is printed in a pioneer guidebook to Kyoto "Miyako Meisho-zue," or a geographical description of Kyoto.

Moreover, in an illustration, published in 1864 and depicting the townscape of Kyoto and its suburbs, an Okuribi bonfire of the hiragana letter "I," which once existed around the area of Ichihara in Sakyo Ward, was printed along with the characters "Daimonji" and "Myoho." The Okuribi bonfire "I" is considered to have been discontinued during the Meiji Period, and is inferred to have been popular as a special seasonal feature of Kyoto at the end of the Edo Period.

The exhibition will continue until July 28. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Exhibited items will be rotated. There is no admission fee.