Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2012

As Japan gears up for the summer festival season, an exhibition provides a look at how folks did things in the old days. “Matsuri: Amusements, Festivals and Famous Places” presents paintings of popular Edo-era matsuri depicted on fans and folding screens. Townsfolk can be observed hoisting mikoshi floats and enjoying kabuki performances. Unlike today, tekiya selling chocobanana and trinkets are not in evidence. Still, judging by the grins on people’s faces more than a bit of sake fueled the festivities.

Idemitsu Museum of Arts, until Jul 22 (listing).