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Though the Heian Period probably evokes more images of poetry and courtly love affairs than daring action, there was still plenty of work for the kebiishi, the peacekeepers of the time. Though the Heian court’s police force is now long gone, they remain a fixture of Japanese police history, and, in fact, served as the inspiration for the new uniforms to be worn by the Kyoto mounted police at this year Jidai Festival!
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Believed to have been established around 816, the kebiishi was, during the Heian Period, basically the police force of Japan. They probably looked something a bit like the picture above.
If you’re fan of Japanese history, there’s a good chance you think the kebiishi looked pretty badass—we can’t be alone in this, right? Well, it looks like the Kyoto mounted police certainly thought so, as they’ve commissioned the Heian-style uniforms seen below for their officers to wear during the upcoming Jidai Matsuri (Period Festival) to be held this Thursday in Kyoto.
▼ Even the horses have cute hats!
これはステキだ！京都府警の平安騎馬隊が和装姿で時代祭に登場予定｜Japaaan mag.japaaan.com/archives/31244 #kimono #着物 #京都 #kyoto #時代祭 http://t.co/r7vgCjAMpK
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Japaaan (@japaaan_com) October 16, 2015The uniforms don’t look to be 100 percent accurate recreations of the clothing worn by the ninth century kebiishi, but they are clearly inspired by the nearly 1,200-year-old garb. Also, they have those hats! These photos are actually the first we’re seeing of the outfits, so the officers’ ride in the procession will be the first official appearance of the new uniforms.
みやびやか…京都府警、和装の平安騎馬隊登場 時代祭でデビュー sankei.com/west/news/1510… http://t.co/Pb9LDE7P4Z
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(@suizou) October 14, 2015For all you costume designers out there, you’ll probably be interested to know that the uniforms are made in the Nishijin-ori style, a type of weaving practiced in the Nishijin district in Kyoto. Though we have a feeling they’re not going to be available for purchase by the public…
Festival Information
Start location: Kyoto Imperial Palace
End location: Heian Jingu Shrine
Start time: Around noon (The procession will last approximately 2 hours.)
Reserved seats are available (but not required) for 2,050 yen (about US$17).
Website
Sources: Japaaan, Sankei, Jidai Matsuri
Top image: Screenshot Twitter/Japaaan
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Origin: Mounted police officers in Kyoto get Heian Period outfits to match their ancestral colleagues
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