The Shrine god is the 50th emperor Kanmu. He was born in 737 as emperor
Mitsuhito's prince and ascended the throne as 50th emperor in 781. He moved
to the new capital in 794 and it was called Heian-kyo or Peace capital.
Since then Kyoto has prospered as a capital in Japan for 1,000 years or
more. He died in 806, and the Imperial mausoleum is in Kashiwabara, Kyoto.
Heian Jingu Shrine was created in 1895 for 1,100-year commemoration of
Heian capital transfer. The prayer of the Heian era was put to pass on
graceful Kyoto where it kept prospering also more than 1,000 years to future
generations.
The history festival started as a commemoration when Heian Jingu Shrine
was created in 1895. October 22, when the festival is held, is a day when
the capital was moved by Emperor Kanmu from Nagaokakyo Heiankyo or Kyoto
in 794. The trait of this festival is the parade wearing costume of those
days. It represents 18 rows and 2,000 people and the length of 2 km. It
is counted one of the Kyoto three major festivals with Gion and Aoi Festival.
History festival starts at Kyoto castle to Heian Jingu Shrine of 4.5km.
