The five seasonal festivals to drive out evil originate in Yin and Yang philosophy. The most important is the Double Ninth festival on September 9, the largest, single-digit odd number. Chrysanthemums, a medicinal herb, are used for purification in the 1,000-year-old longevity rituals; hence, the festival's name. A chrysanthemum-boy doll, Noh plays, children's sumo, and floss-adorned chrysanthemums. Discover how the Chrysanthemum Festival has taken on new significance during the pandemic.

Two professionals from diverse fields, potter Matsubayashi Hosai and comic actor Shigeyama Sennojo discuss what it means to carry on a tradition and the similarities and differences between their professions. Born into 400-year-old Kyoto legacies, both have an eye on the international stage and are searching for ways to pass on the crafts and skills they inherited. Explore what roles people in heritage professions should play in 2020, at a time when lifestyles are changing due to the pandemic.

Through novels and movies, the name Miyamoto Musashi has become synonymous with the word "samurai." The undefeated, 17th-century swordsman was also a master of calligraphy, the way of tea, and other arts. In his later years, he wrote "The Book of Five Rings" to relate the wisdom he gained through his duels. His teachings act a guide to living a significant life and remain seminal today during the pandemic. Discover Musashi's Kyoto through people who feel a deep affiliation with his way of life.