I was marvelling at a temple up a mountain (everywhere I go in Kyoto is up a mountain) when I noticed lots of people rushing through a gate. I asked a woman to explain what was happening and she replied, eloquently I'm sure, but I didn't fully understand what she was saying. Although I didn't know what all the fuss was about it seemed a big deal to everyone else so I paid the fare at the gate and went to take a look for myself.

This is what I saw. As far as I can tell it was some sort of calligraphy display that only happens once a year. It must have been important because I saw it on the news later on in the evening. I witnessed history in the making!