Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine

Unidentified

Not on view

The famous horse race at Kyoto’s Kamo Shrine, held annually since the Heian period (794–1185) on the fifth day of the fifth month, was a ritual event preceding the local Aoi Festival. As in almost all depictions of the Kamo race, this folding screen shows several handsomely caparisoned horses moving toward the left edge of the image along the track, which is delineated by temporary fences. Spectators look on, including aristocrats, priests, samurai, musicians, townspeople, and even several Europeans. Further onlookers are seated on the veranda of the large hall at the top of the composition. There, an audience is being given by an august individual who is clearly a member of the imperial family, possibly the emperor himself.

Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, Unidentified Artist, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, silver, and gold leaf on paper, Japan

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Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, Unidentified Artist, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, silver, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, Unidentified Artist, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, silver, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, Unidentified Artist, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, silver, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Horse Race at the Kamo Shrine, Unidentified Artist, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, silver, and gold leaf on paper, Japan

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