Prior to "Jidai Matsuri," or Festival of Ages, one of Kyoto's three main festivals which will be held on October 22, newly-made costumes were revealed on October 6 at Heian Jingu Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. Since the festival's parade was exposed to rain last year, 120 pairs of footwear were renewed, including the shoes for the role of Ono no Komachi which had been used for about 50 years.

There are 256 newly-made items in total, including "Hitoe," or unlined kimono, for Ki no Tsurayuki's daughter and "Suikan," or plain kimono, for archers in the "Jonan-ryu Yabusame Retsu" procession. The total cost for renewal and other repairs came to about 6.7 million yen.

Ono no Komachi's shoes were renewed for the first time since the "Heian Jidai Fujin Retsu" procession debuted in 1954. To suit her formal attire, the shoes were finished with the "Shokko Nishiki" pattern, which originated from the elaborate fabric of the Shu Dynasty in ancient China.

Dry-cleaning expenses totaled about 3 million yen, three times as much as usual years as there were many spotted costumes and moldy shoes due to last year's rain. Chairman Yasushi Kuraguchi of Heian Kosha said, "I just hope they won't get soaked by rain this year."

Jidai Matsuri began in 1895, the year following the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo, or the ancient capital in the Heian Period. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the festival.