[thekimonogallery]

In Kyoto, Japan’s old capital, right until the first few years of the last century one sure sign of spring was the Shirakawame, the flower maidens in their special costumes selling flowers on the streets of the city. It is said that the practice started in the Heian period (794-1185) with market ladies delivering flowers to the imperial palace, but by the Edo period (1603-1886) the Shirakawame was almost exlusively young ladies selling flowers in the street.  Text and image via Tokyobling