Kinen-sai (Spring Prayer Festival)

A poster for the Kinen-sai(祈年祭/Prayer for a Bountiful Harvest Festival) held at Hikami Jingu(日神神宮) Shrine on the vernal equinox. Amidst cherry blossoms in full bloom, Kaori(香)—clad in miko(巫女/shrine maiden) attire—holds an oonusa(大幣/ritual purification wand) and prays for a bountiful harvest. 【Hikami-jingu Shrine】 Located near the summit of Mt. Hikami(日神) (190 meters above sea level) in central Nara Prefecture, this is one of the most historic and authentic shrines in Japan. It enshrines Himiko(日御子)-sama (倭迹迹日百襲姫/Yamato-totohi-momoso-hime), and for 1,775 years—dating back to 250 AD—, the role of chief priest and the miko(巫女) serving the principal deity has been held by the matrilineal descendants of the sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami. The shrine is both revered and held in awe by the Imperial Court, which refers to it as the "陰の朝廷/Shadow Court." Its primary emblem is the chrysanthemum crest(菊花紋)—shared with the Imperial Family(皇室)—though it also employs a distinctive crest to differentiate itself: the archaic character for "kami/神" (deity) enclosed within a circle representing the sun, symbolizing the shrine's name, Hikami. [Kinen-sai (Prayer for a Bountiful Harvest Festival)] Held on the vernal equinox. Before commencing spring agricultural work, this festival celebrates surviving the winter to welcome spring, prays for favorable weather ahead, and petitions for a plentiful harvest. [Kaori] She is currently 18 years old. She has long, straight-cut black hair that reaches her waist; it is fine in texture and has a lustrous sheen, and she wears bangs. She is a 168cm-tall Japanese woman with a slender physique—rivaling that of a Hollywood actress—measuring B83/W50/H85. She wears triangular stainless steel wire earrings and sports crimson lipstick with natural-style makeup. [Shrine Maiden Attire] - Kimono: A single layer of white silk—thin enough to be slightly translucent—tucked under the hakama. - Hakama: Scarlet thin silk. - Footwear: White tabi socks and white zori sandals. 【Background】Cherry blossoms at Hikami Jingu(日神神宮) Shrine are in magnificent bloom amidst the clear air of early spring. Flanking the shrine grounds stand a majestic two-story gate romon(楼門) reminiscent of Usa Jingu(宇佐神宮) Shrine, and a brand-new cypress sanctuary built in the Yuiitsu-shinmei-zukuri(唯一神明造) style—a simplified version of the architecture found at the Inner Shrine(内宮) of Ise Grand Shrine(伊勢神宮). In the background, the primeval forest of the sacred Mount Hikami(日神) stretches out, testifying to the sanctity of the deity enshrined there. [Camera] A full-body shot taken with an 85mm telephoto lens from a slight distance, with the camera positioned at the model's waist height. An artistry that emerges naturally from a divine beauty, achieved through precise focus on the subject and the detailed rendering of both the person and their clothing. Include the title of the Kinen-sai (Harvest Prayer Festival) and a brief explanation of the event. Kaori is the local lord most beloved by the people; her identity is obvious at a glance, so do not make specific mention of it.