Following the military are the civil officials, who handle executive affairs. This procession depicts them on their way to the palace for a New Year ceremony.

You can see that social standing in this period is also indicated by the color of one’s clothing, a custom inherited from the Nara Period. Among them, horse riders were of high social rank, with the first one to mount his horse being third-rank. After the Jidai Festival parade arrives at Heian-Jingu, this third-ranker will act as the festival’s representative during the ceremonies at the Shrine.