On July 28, Kyushu was struck by an earthquake. I would like to show the deepest condolences to those who affected by the disaster.
Gion Matsuri commenced in 869 in order to cope with the epidemics and the natural disasters happened in the archipelago.
On July 31, Higohgis were still in bloom, Eki Jinjya Nagoshisai took place in serenity and the chief priest of Yasaka shrine declared that Gion Matsuri of 2026 was completed. He stated that we were not able to get rid of epidemics and natural disasters though the Matsuri was accomplished, implying that all we could do it is taking precautions.
I suppose we prepare for the worst case scenario as Samurais were able to be ready to be face to face with it, according to Zen.
Gion Matsuri is famed for Yamahoko parade or Yoiyamas of Sakimatsuri but Kanko Sai used to be the most famous ritual. Kanko Sai is a sequence of rituals still held these years and written in “還幸祭.” 還 means “come back,” 幸 means “happiness,” and 祭 means “Matsuri.”
In the old days, the deities on three Mikoshis left Otabisho individually and headed for Gion Sha, the Buddhist temple known as Yasaka shrine today. Yasaka shrine used to be a Buddhist temple in Shimbutsu Shugo, the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. They joined together at Rekken no Tsuji corner near Gokusya. Shoguns and the court nobles loved to admire the deities there. For instance, Ashikaga Yosimitsu, the third Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate and the founder of Kinkakuji temple, was very fond of showing respect to them in the seat at the corner.
By the late 19th century, Gion Matsuri has been held in the Japanese lunar calendar and the deities came back to Gion sha under the full moon.
In 2021, they came back to Yasaka shrine in the fully moonlit sky. We were in the midst of the pandemic and they were on the Himorogis on the steed’s back instead of the Mikoshis.
There were only a few people waited for the deities in front of the main hall. I was so exhausted that I took photos and videos all day long. In the pale moon light, I vaguely thought about how people waited them hundreds of yeas ago.
All I can say is that numeral things have changed in modern days but there are things that make us all the same. Some have gone, some remain. Worth fighting for. 合掌
