The Inoue School of Dance evolved as a distinct form of traditional Japanese dance in Kyoto. Danced to a shamisen and song backing, it developed exclusively for the geiko and maiko of Gion Kobu, Kyoto's largest entertainment district. Traditional Kyoto dance, or Kyo-mai, exalts life and can represent urbane people by acting out the universal emotion of females. Discover the consummate art of Kyo-mai with its history of more than 200 years through the current 5th head of the Inoue School.

Kyoto today is a bustling tourist destination, but there was a time when it had lost its sparkle. The emperor moved to Tokyo 120 years ago to forge a modern state, and many followed, depleting the population. This crisis shook the city's foundation, but it reinvented itself through modern public works and other initiatives. The Jidai Matsuri pays homage to the past with 2,000 people parading in period costumes. Discover the citizens' resilience as they redefined their city, creating a new Kyoto.

Byobu, or folding screens, were introduced to Japan in the 7th century as room partitions and windbreaks. Their distinct form today was shaped by Heian lifestyles and sensibilities, and they were elevated to an art form. Byobu are used to indicate the seasons. Gold screens grace formal receptions. Japanese artists are still drawn to them as a medium, and they produce byobu for religious and secular uses. Mounters uphold age-old techniques to restore them. Discover the profound allure of byobu.