I can't find a direct reference for why it's green, but there are mentions that they also perform a ceremony of releasing captive animals (放生会 / houjou-e) on the evening of the last day so it could signify harmony with nature. Alternatively it could also have evolved out of it before being plain white with indigo patterns of grasses and flowing water (青摺 / aozuri) used in purification rites.
Thanks for the interesting write-up and beautiful imagery!
Seems like there's also a cleansing ritual at the beach the day before, for those willing to get up around 4 o'clock.
Looking forwards to the future chapters!
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I got curious about the green ceremonial robe (千早 / chihaya) worn by the dancers for the 8 maidens dance (八乙女舞 / yaotome-mai):
https://www.yoritomo-japan.com/gyoji-maturi/hatiman-reisai.htm
I can't find a direct reference for why it's green, but there are mentions that they also perform a ceremony of releasing captive animals (放生会 / houjou-e) on the evening of the last day so it could signify harmony with nature. Alternatively it could also have evolved out of it before being plain white with indigo patterns of grasses and flowing water (青摺 / aozuri) used in purification rites.
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https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000037413.html
Apparently it's crickets these days.
https://www.yoritomo-japan.com/gyoji-maturi/hotaru-hojyosai.htm
They also hold a firefly release ceremony during the second week of June; with the fireflies lighting up the forests at night for a week after!
Either time sounds like a great time to visit.
Very nice and interesting! Thanks for doing this--and I love how you integrated the postcard!
Very interesting! What is the significance of the girls in the green and red outfits?