Changes

* ''Japanese'': 祇園祭 ''(Gion Matsuri)'' or 祇園会 ''(Gion-e)''

* ''Japanese'': 祇園祭 ''(Gion Matsuri)'' or 祇園会 ''(Gion-e)''

#Naginata-hoko

#Naginata-hoko

#::The most famous and prominent of the floats, always holding the place of honor leading the procession. Features a [[naginata]] (halberd) atop its spear. The naginata is believed to help ward off disease and evil spirits. The blade originally featured on the float was forged roughly one thousand years ago by Sanjô Kokaji Munechika. Today, a bamboo blade wrapped in foil is used so that the original blade can be preserved. The Naginata-hoko carries the ''chigo'', or sacred child, of the parade, and is decorated with tapestries from Persia, China, Mongolia, and Korea.

#::The most famous and prominent of the floats, always holding the place of honor leading the procession. Features a [[naginata]] (halberd) atop its spear. The naginata is believed to help ward off disease and evil spirits. The blade originally featured on the float was forged roughly one thousand years ago by [[Sanjo Munechika|Sanjô Kokaji Munechika]]. Today, a bamboo blade wrapped in foil is used so that the original blade can be preserved. The Naginata-hoko carries the ''chigo'', or sacred child, of the parade, and is decorated with tapestries from Persia, China, Mongolia, and Korea.

#Môsô-yama

#Môsô-yama

#Tokusa-yama

#Tokusa-yama

#::Features a carp (''[[koi]]'') swimming up the "dragon gate" (''ryûmon'') waterfall, along with a red ''torii'' and figure of [[Susanoo]]. According to myth, if a carp swam up this waterfall, it could turn into a dragon. The float's decorations also include sections of a 16th century Belgian tapestry depicting King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy.

#::Features a carp (''[[koi]]'') swimming up the "dragon gate" (''ryûmon'') waterfall, along with a red ''torii'' and figure of [[Susanoo]]. According to myth, if a carp swam up this waterfall, it could turn into a dragon. The float's decorations also include sections of a 16th century Belgian tapestry depicting King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy.

#Minami-kannon-yama

#Minami-kannon-yama

#::A rope-pulled float. Features a seated sculpture of Yôryû (Willow) Kannon, and is decorated with an Indian carpet dating to [[1684]], the oldest carpet of its type in the country. The Kannon sculpture was originally made in the [[Kamakura period]], but was severely damaged in a [[1788]] fire. The float waves behind it a willow branch, and ''kusudama'' for repelling disease hang from the four corners of the float, representing the four noblest plants - bamboo, chrysanthemum, plum, and orchid. The float is named after a story in which Kannon appeared to Zenzai-dôji, a Buddhist acolyte touring the southern provinces.

#::A rope-pulled float. Features a seated sculpture of Yôryû (Willow) Kannon, and is decorated with an Indian carpet dating to [[1684]], the oldest carpet of its type in the country. The Kannon sculpture was originally made in the [[Kamakura period]], but was severely damaged in the [[Great Tenmei Fire]] of [[1788]]. The float waves behind it a willow branch, and ''kusudama'' for repelling disease hang from the four corners of the float, representing the four noblest plants - bamboo, chrysanthemum, plum, and orchid. The float is named after a story in which Kannon appeared to Zenzai-dôji, a Buddhist acolyte touring the southern provinces.

==References==

==References==

* [http://www.gionmatsuri.jp/ Gion Matsuri Official Site]

* [http://www.gionmatsuri.jp/ Gion Matsuri Official Site]

* Plaques on-site during the Yoiyama preparations for the festival, July 2008.

* Plaques on-site during the Yoiyama preparations for the festival, July 2008.

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]