Kyoto

Gion Matsuri in Photos: Part 2

A pictorial overview of Kyoto's famous Gion Matsuri

Hugo Kempeneer Jul 11, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Kuronushi-Yama (黒主山) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float derives its name from a Noh chant “shiga”, and shows the courtier Kuronushi Otomo, one of the Rokkasen (the six saints of Japanese poetry) in the Heian period (794-1192), looking up at the cherry blossoms</p>

<p>Oofune Hoko (大船鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012!  Because it was burnt during the revolution at the end of the Bakumatsu Era, this Hoko had not participated in the Gion Festival since then for many years. Thankfully, the statue of the god inside, the golden filigree, the woven fabric, etc, were still preserved. This Hoko rejoined the procession for the first time in 140 years in Karabitsu</p>

<p>Niwatori-hoko (鶏鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012!  This float derives its name from a famous tale that took place in ancient China when the legendary Emperor Yao was in power</p>

<p>Naginata-Hoko (長刀鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float derives its name from the long-handled sword on top of its pole, known as a “Naginata”, which is believed to expel evil spirits and epidemics. The original sword is now preserved as a treasure as it was created about a thousand years ago by the noted sword-smith Sanjo-kokaji-Munechika.</p>

<p>Minami-Kannon-Yama (南観音山) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012!  Also called “Kudari-kannon-yama” (literally “downward kannon float”), this drawn by rope-type float is the last float in the procession in the Gion festival parade</p>

<p>Kita-Kannon-Yama (北観音山) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! Referred to as “Nobori-kannon” (literally “up-bound kannon”), this float leads the latter half of the Gion festival procession, and was built in 1353 according to an old document handed down in the neighborhood</p>

<p>Kikusui-hoko (菊水鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float derives its name from the Kikusui-i (literally “the well of chrysanthemum water”), a well that has been in this neighborhood since long ago</p>

<p>Kanko-hoko (函谷鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float derives its name from a famous tale that took place about 2300 years ago. During the Warring States period of China, there lived a lord named Moshokun (Meng Chan Jun), who employed a huge entourage with a variety of different talents</p>

<p>Kakkyo-yama (郭巨山) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float, also known as Kama-hori-yama (literally “pot-digging float”), is named after “Kakkyo”, the central character of one of the stories of the “Twenty-four Filial Exemplars”, a classic text of Confucian clerical piety from China</p>

<p>Joumyou-Yama (浄妙山) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012!  This float derives its name from the “Hashi-gassen” (literally “Bridge Combat”) chapter of “The Tale of the Heike” (“Heike Monogatari”), a noted military epic written in the early 13th century</p>

There are a few more days to go before the Yama Hoko Grand Parade will parade thorough some of Kyoto’s busiest streets during Gion Festival. On July 17th the parade will start at 9.00am at the corner of Shijo-Karasuma and continue on towards the Yasaka Shrine. The floats will turn then on Kawaramachi Street and go towards Oike Dori. After passing the Kyoto City building they’ll continue on till Karasuma Dori. The floats featured here are: Joumyou-Yama, Kakkyo-yama, Kanko-hoko, Kikusui-hoko, Kita-Kannon-Yama, Kuronushi-Yama, Minami-Kannon-Yama, Naginata-Hoko, Niwatori-hoko and Oofune Hoko.

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Hugo Kempeneer @hugo.kempeneer

I was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and enjoyed my teenage years during the peak of the "Flower Power Hippie" generation. I hitchhiked through Europe, living on a beach south of Agadir, Morocco for some time to learn English. Aside from Japan, I have lived in Indonesia, the Philippines, South Kore...