A highlight of the Osu Kannon Street Performers Festival is the oiran procession. The oiran were courtesans during the Edo period in Japan. During that period a red-light district was created in Osu, and it flourished as an entertainment area. In commemoration of this historical event, a re-creation of the procession is held each year as the highlight of the festival. Open auditions are held to choose the women who will dress as oiran each year. This year, I didn't schedule in time to follow the procession as there were many performances I wanted to see, but I was lucky to catch them as I was traveling between acts. Being an oiran is quite a physical act, as they have to walk on platform shoes, in tight kimono, with heavy adornments on their heads. Despite this, they kept their poise throughout the long procession.