With their eboshi headdresses and shaku (ritual baton) in hand, the Shinto priests in white robes sit on carts drawn either by a horse or a man on foot. The seemingly mismatched Western-style horse cart, driven by a coachman in full livery, suggests the combination of modernity and tradition. The name of Osaka's Ikasuri Shrine (aka Zama Shrine) can be seen on the jackets of a couple of men walking in the procession. (Kosuke Fujiki)

BFI silent film curator Bryony Dixon adds: This film was issued by the Hepworth Manufacturing Company in 1904, as part of a 14-part series on Japan and China. It was probably filmed by a cameraman looking for 'local colour' while waiting in hope to capture images of the Russo Japanese war.

Source: BFI

A Japanese procession of state. (Synopsis) Main title (4). A procession of rickshaws carrying Shinto priests in white robes, followed by men carrying flags and lanterns (36ft). Note: The above is from THROUGH THREE REIGNS 1922 (Rl 1. 1632-1672ft)

Source: BFI - Collections