The traditional Kamo Kurabeuma horse race, a prayer for peace and bountiful harvests, was held at Kamigamo Shrine in Kita Ward, Kyoto City on May 5, 2025, the beginning of summer, one of the 24 solar terms. Cheers rose up from the many worshippers as the horses galloped through the grounds, enveloped in blazing new greenery.
Originally a court event held at the Imperial Palace, it was moved to Kamigamo Shrine in 1093 during the Heian period and has continued to this day. It is also mentioned in Tsurezuregusa, and there are records of powerful people of the time, such as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Oda Nobunaga, viewing the event.
Following the morning ritual, the Kyochi race began at around 2pm, in which ten horses competed two at a time. A special 200-meter-long riding ground was set up within the shrine grounds, and riders called "Norijiri" skillfully used their whips to gallop past a large paulownia tree blooming with purple flowers and in front of the Tongu Shrine, where the gods were welcomed. About 2,000 people watched.
