Pictures of Excursions Through the Famous Sites of the Capital (Rakuyo meisho kan’yu-e)

This section of a scroll from a pair of long handscrolls depicts sites in Kyoto, the imperial capital of Japan from the late eighth to the late nineteenth century. Spectators line long fences to enjoy the annual horse races held at the Kamigamo Shinto shrine. The horses race at the entrance of the shrine, which is marked by the distinctive red shrine gate (torii). This annual festival was held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the date on which the traditional Boys' Festival was also celebrated.