In the style of lavish poetry parties held during the Heian period, Kamigamo Shrine is host to the Kamo Kyokusui no En each year at 13:00 on the second Sunday in April. Based on a particular event from the shrine's history, hosted by Priest Shigeyasu in 1182, the Kamo Kyokusui no En is held in a winding stream garden in the shrine's southeast grounds, the vibrant spring moss and shrine hall decorated with crimson umbrellas and sprigs of flowers. These days, the event is presided over by the Sai?-dai, a woman representing unmarried imperial princesses who historically served as honorary shrine priestesses. Five poets, four from the Reizei-ke Shigure-tei Bunko organization and one selected by contest submission, arrange themselves along the stream and receive the poetry theme, 2016's being "hana wo matsu", ("waiting on flowers"). As young children guide small boats of sake through the water the poets compose poems and enjoy a drink. The final poems the poets select are later read aloud in chorus in the shrine hall, dedicated to the kami deities.
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