Gion Matsuri
- Japanese: 祇園祭 (Gion Matsuri) or 祇園会 (Gion-e)
Gion Matsuri, which takes place in Kyoto in mid-July each year, is one of the most famous traditional festivals in Japan. It was first started in 863 to pray for the suppression of an epidemic, and became a yearly festival in 970.
The festival consists primarily of a parade or procession through the streets of Kyoto. Thirty-two parade floats, known as yama or yamaboko process in a square-shaped route, beginning on Shijô-dôri, then turning left onto Kawaramachi-dôri, left onto Oike-dôri, and finally left onto Shinmachi-dôri. Most are carried by a large group of people, in a manner similar to that of omikoshi (portable Shinto shrines), while some of the most impressive floats are pulled along on massive wooden wheels by tens of people pulling ropes. Each float is based in a neighborhood within that square; in the week or so prior to the parade, festivalgoers can visit the floats as they are being (re)constructed, and in the last few evenings prior to the parade, stands are erected, selling food, drink, and various goods.
Floats
- 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.
- Môsô-yama
- Tokusa-yama
- Aburatenjin-yama
- Kanko-hoko
- This float features an image of Mengchang Jun (Môshôkun) halfway up the pole. Mengchang Jun is said to have lived roughly 2300 years ago during the Warring States period of Chinese history, and maintained an entourage with a wide range of seemingly useless talents. When trying to escape from captivity in a neighboring state, one of his followers used his ability to imitate the sound of a rooster's crow, and fooled guards into opening gates for him, allowing him to escape.
- Araretenjin-yama
- Shijôkasa-hoko
- Taishi-yama
- Kikusui-hoko
- Hakuga-yama
- Yamabushi-yama
- Kakkyo-yama
- Niwatori-hoko
- Features a chicken atop its spear.
- Hakurakuten-yama
- Ayakasa-hoko
- Tôrô-yama
- Features a mechanical praying mantis that moves with the turning of the float's wheels. The mantis was first added to the float in 1376, the 25th anniversary of the death of Shijô Takasuke (1292-1352), who was killed fighting for a cause. He was then associated with the praying mantis, which Chinese proverbs describe as courageous, standing and raising its arms in the face of a large army.
- Tsuki-hoko
- Features a crescent moon atop its spear, and enshrines Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto, goddess of the moon. The float is decorated with paintings by Maruyama Ôkyo and sculptures by Hidari Jingorô, who is known for his sleeping cat carving at Nikkô Tôshôgû.
- Urade-yama
- Ashikari-yama
- Hôshô-yama
- Hôka-hoko
- This float used to carry the chigo, the sacred child of the festival. Since 1929, the child has been replaced with a doll. The float also features a hôka monk, a member of an order who, in the Muromachi period, would perform stunts and entertainments as part of their proselytizing efforts.
- Iwato-yama
- Fune-hoko
- Unique among the floats. Shaped like a boat.
- Kita-kannon-yama
- Hashi-benkei-yama
- En-no-Gyôja-yama
- Hachiman-yama
- Kuronushi-yama
- Suzuka-yama
- Jômyô-yama
- Koi-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.
