Gion matsuri festival in Kyoto 2023: Mikoshis, Yamahoko floats, and Yoiyamas!!! 祇園祭2023英語で説明

Introduction

Gion Matsuri is an annual ritual of Yasaka shrine and is one of so-called Japan three great festivals.

At first, it started as Gory-e, the Buddhist ritual in 869 on the order of the Imperial court. After the Imperial court were on decline and couldn’t afford it, the citizens of Kyoto took over it as de facto successors. Thanks to them, it survived over centuries and marked the 1150th anniversary in Reiwa 1(2019).

Though the Matsuri began as a Buddhist ceremony, it has carried on under the religious syncretism of Shinto, Buddhism and Onmyodo. In 1862, the Meiji government banned the syncretism “in terms of law” but it is still alive in 2023.

Gion Matsuri is famous for its Yamahoko prade all over the world but the most important ceremony is Mikoshi Togyo. In Mikoshi Togyo, the deities of Yaska shrine are on Mikoshis to stay Otabisho, the temporary shrine located in the downtown of Kyoto. They stayed there for a week to get rid of Ekijins, the spirit bring us epidemics.

To do away with epidemics, it is the authentic aim of Gion Matsuri since 869. In ancient times, people believed Goryos from the other world caused epidemics and they held Goryo-e to drive out the Goryos, the soul of deceased persons who was politically ousted. As time went by, people started to believe that the cause of epicemics is Ekijin and they expected Ekijins to protect them from epidemics.

シカさん

In old times, people believed epidemics came from far out places. And They thought  Ekijin brought them epidemics.

Today, we believe that Yamahokos capture the Ekijins in the city and the deities in Otabisho to get rid of them.

七里ヶ浜親方

Want to know much more? Check them out, old sport!

Gion Matsuri Festival

Articles on the reason why Gion Matusri is cerebrated, Mikoshi, Yamahoko Parade, Schedule, and others

kyotokankoyagi.com

Attention: The schedule of Gion Matsuri might change. Check out the website of Yasaka Shrine.

BREAKING NEWS

7月18日

Now we can see Yaguras of Ofunehoko and Minamikannon Yama.

Takayama already has Shingi.

7月17日　Mikoshi and Yamaboko parade 神輿渡御・前祭巡行

7月15日　Yoi-yoi-Yama 宵々山

Early in the morning, the Imitakes were prapared.

The is prepared for the Shimenawa rope he cuts off.

7月14日　Yoi-yoi-yoi-Yama 宵々々山

At Shinsen-en, the place Gion Matsuri started some 1000 years ago, the abbot of Shinsen-en temple and the priest of Yaska shrine exchanged the sacred water.

七里ヶ浜親方

In Japan, we use water for Harae. Check the post on Chinowa Kuguri.

"Chinowa kuguri" at Yasaka shrine 2023 茅の輪くぐり英語で説明

Chinowa is a big wreath. A story about Somin Shorai says that the Deity save us from malady with it. We always find it in June and July but we also find it in March to prepare for coronavirus.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.06.24

7/13　Yoi-yoi-yoi-yoi Yama 宵々々々山

Yamahokos lit their Komagata Chochin lanters.

Near Naginata hoko, the trafic regulation is on.

This year, Kanko Hoko offers us 2 kinds of Goshuin stamp (300 yen each). Kanko Hoko prepares a tapis of Mont Saint-Michel for the Maekake. The special sheet for Goshuin is available for 200 yen. (the right)

Kikusui Hoko Tea Party started.

• 13th・・・13:00～21:00
• 14th・・・12:00～21:00
• 15th・・・13:00～21:00
• 16th・・・12:00～21:00

シカさん

しっぽり

しっぽり(Shippori) means something wet physically or mentally.

7/12

Today, the musicians of Kikusui Hoko and Kanko Hoko plays Gion Bayashi music on each Hoko. At Kaisho of Kanoko Hoko, we can have Chimaki for 1000 yen.

7/11

Now Mikoshis are in Buden of Yasaka shrine. The priests will bring the sprits of the deities to them on 15th.

Today, Yamahoko-building started,

シカさん

Check out.

How to build Yamahoko float? Gion matsuri festival 2018

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kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.08.04

The Ohayashi musicians of Ohfunehoko are practicing.

At Daimaru department store, we can see the figurehead of Ofune Hoko.

This year, the Samura armor exhibition of Yumiyacho takes place.

七里ヶ浜親方

On 7/12, I found 2 armors. I’m sure some Samurais couldn’t afford to wait.

お福さん

It is not a well-known event. Only few Gion Matsuri-enthusiasts know. DO NOT MISS it.

7月10日

Mikoshi Arai shiki and Omukae Chochin took place.

Must-sees: General　総論

Syncretism of Shinto, Buddhism, and Onmyodo 神道、仏教、陰陽道、道教の混淆

Gion Matsuri is a Matsuri of Yaska shrine. The shrine used to be a Buddhist temple under the syncretism of Shinto, Buddhism, Onmyodo. The syncretism is called Shinbutsu Shugo and used to be found anywhere in Japan.

たけちよ

Shinbutsu Shugo means synctetism, co-existance, and fusion of Shinto and Buddhism but usually Onmyodo or Taoism are also fused with them.

In 1868, Meiji government asked Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to separate these fused religions. Gion-sha made a decision to be a Shinto shrine called Yasaka shrine but the bond among the Shinto, Buddhism, and Onmyoto is still alive in Gion Matsuri.

七里ヶ浜親方

The aim of Gion Matsuri is to get rid of epidemics. Yaska shrine enshrined Susanoho no Mikoto, the Shinto deity but we can find no particular reason why he has such an ability. He was considered to be a Gozu Tenno, the Onmyodo detiy. And with the story of Gozu Tenno,

he is able to put down epidemics.

Nigimitama and Aramitama 和魂と荒魂の和合

There are four kinds of Mitama(御霊), the spirit in a Japanese deity; Nigimitama, Aramitama, Sakimitama, and Kushimitama.

In Matsuri in Japan, Nigimitama and Aramitama of a deity are often put together for the purpose of making the deity reincarnated. In Gion Matsuri, the Nigimitama of Susanoh no Mikoto meets the Aramitama of him (Kuze Komagata Chigo) and the reincarnation is completed.

シカさん

Mikage Matsuri plays the same role in Aoi Matsuri.

Shaking Mikoshis 神輿を振る

People shake Mikoshis to make the Mitamas of the deities come alive.

Yamahoko floats play impotant role 神賑神事たる山鉾巡行の神事への近接

Matsuri consists of Shinji (神事 ritual/ceremony held by Shrine or act for deity) and Kaminigiwai (神賑 ceremony held by secular people or act the secure people ).

たけちよ

For example, in Gion Matsuri, the priests bring the Mitamas of the deities into the Mikoshis. It its a Shinji. Without the priests or the deities, it couldn’t be carried on.  Of course there are lots of people around Mikoshis to give the deities prayers but without them, the priests can complete the duty. For the Shinji, the people are kind of bystanders.

And at Yoiyama, there are food stands. They are belongs to Gion matsuri and the secular prepares for food stands and the secular buy foods. It’s a Kaminigiwai.

Kaminigiwai makes a contribution especially for the seculars.

Yamahoko parade could be originally a Kaminigiwai but it grew up to be a de facto Shinji ‘cause it plays the important role: To gather Eikjins to be done away with by the deities brought by the priests.

Must-sees 1: Shinji　神事

Mikohis 神輿渡御

On Mikohis, the deities head for Otabisho and stay there to be with us.

Gion matsuri 2023: Mikoshi, portable shrine, guide 祇園祭の神輿英語で説明

Gion matsuri is famous for Yamaboko floats but the most important thing is Mikoshi, or porptable shrine. In this article, I'll show you the history, importance of it.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.07.10

Kuze Komagata Chigo 久世駒形稚児

The Aramitama of Susanoh no Mikoto enshrined in Yasaka shrine. Kuze Komagata Chigo, the boy on the horse, is considered the Nigimitama of him because  it is on the horse head (駒形)  he has in the chest.

Gion Matsuri festival 2023: Kuze Komagata Chigo, the most important figure 久世駒形稚児英語で説明

Kuze Komagata Chigo is the most important figure in Gion Matsuri festival. Without him, Gion Matsuri cannot be accomplished.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2020.07.20

たけちよ

In Aoi Matsuri, Mikage Matsuri plays the same role.

Mikage matsuri 2023: The most important ritual prior to Aoi matsuri festival

Mikage matsuri is a ritual held prior to Aoi Matsuri The most important ritual is Miare shinji held on the 12th May at Mikage shrine. On the very day, the Deity of Shimogamo shrine is born there.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2018.04.20

Mikoshi Kiyoharae shiki 神輿清祓式

The priest cleanse the Mikoshi to prepare for the deity. In 2023, it takes place on the Shijo bridge.

七里ヶ浜親方

It could be a ritual to let the Mitama of Gozu Tenno in to the Mikoshi.

Must-sees 2: Shinji  (de facto ones) 神事に準ずるもの

Yamahoko parade 山鉾巡行

As previously refared, Yamahoko parade is a de facto Shinji gathering Ekijins and make a great contribution to the Matsuri.

The most exciting moment.

Ochigo-san of Naginata Hoko 長刀鉾の生稚児

Only Naginata Hoko has its Ochigo-san. He performs Chigomai dance performance.

He is considered as a messenger of the deity.

He cuts off the Shimenawa rope that tells the secular and the sacred world. Naginata Hoko enters the sacred world to gathre Ekijins. The parade has started.

鷹山

Takayama came back to the parade for the first time in 196 years. The footage tells us the toughest Tsujimawasi ever. Due to the narrow streets and the power lines, there is a small room to change the direction.

TAKAYAMA COME BACK SPECIAL 2022 in Gion Matsuri!!! 祇園祭鷹山英語で説明

Takayamma is one of the long-lost Yamahoko floats in Gion matsuri. In 2022, it will come back to the parade for the first time in 196 years.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2022.06.26

Must-sees 3: Kami Nigiwai 神賑

Yoiyamas 宵山

Yoiyamas are the days before Yamahoko parades. The lanterns of Yamahokos are lit and you can have souvenirs ans Goshuin stamps there. And on 15th and 16th, you can enjoy lots of food stands.

Gion Matsuri 2023: Sakimatsuri Yoiyama 祇園祭前祭宵山英語で説明

In Gion Matsuri, Yoiyama take place prior to Yamahoko parade. In this article, you can learn the way to enjoy it.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2022.07.13

シカさん

On 15th and 16th, Mission: Gion Matsuri with no garbage will be on.

The food stands uses 4 kinds of recyclable cups and dishes.

With “Mai Botoru (My bottle.  Canteen you have. Not empty pet-bottle is available) , you can have water at the water stagions.

祇園祭ごみゼロ大作戦 - 祇園祭の宵宵山・宵山はリユース食器を使います！

祇園祭の宵宵山・宵山はリユース食器を使います！

www.gion-gomizero.jp

Hanakasa Junko 花傘巡行

It takes place for the first time in four years.

Iwami Kagura 石見神楽

A Kagura performance dedicated to Susanoh no Mikoto, the deity of Yasaka shrine. (on 7/15) He put down Yamata no Orochi, the huge serpent with 8 heads to save Kushinasa Hime, his wife to be. It is one of the most famous story in Japanese mythology.

シカさん

You also can see Ebessan in other Kagura on the same day.

Gion Tea party 祇園大茶会　7/15 and 16

At a place near Minami Romon of Yasaka shrine, the tea party is held. You can enjoy traditional Japanese tea for 2000 yen.

シカさん

Maiko-san (apprentice of Geiko) and Geiko-san bring you a cup.

Gion Matsuri 2023

Overview

たけちよ

Attention! These schedule is subject to change.

Highlights

七里ヶ浜親方

• Mikoshis parade as usual. At Shise-en Temple ceremonies take place in both Shinto and Buddhist way.
• Saki Matsuri Yoiyama must be crowded i.e., オニのように混雑する蓋然性があるっつーか混むにきまってんべが。
• Ato Matusri Yoiyama would be crowded but not as Saki Matsuri.
• This year’s Eto is bunny. Tsukihoko would be crowded and souvenirs must be sold out. Especially Chimaki and Tenugui towels.
• Souvenirs of Toro Yama must be sold out on the 1st day. Especially T-shirts.
• Kanko Hoko would offer 4 Goshuin stamps.  （1 and 2 are available every year and 3 and 4 are of the year.）
• The frame of Takayama is to be painted with Urushi lacquer.
• Koi Yama doesn’t offer Goshuin stamps this year.

お福さん

Kanko Hoko Goshuin satmps 2022

アフロさん

In 2022

シカさん

Goshuin stamp of Koi Yama.

Reservation Seats 有料観覧席

Reservation seats are available in Saki Matsuri and Ato Matsuri. They go on sale on 6/6/2023. Check Kyoto Kanko Navi.

For Saki Matsuri and Ato Matsuri

Schedule of Yoiyamas

At Saki Matsuri, traffic regulations must be on.

Schedules 2023 (July)

General

The order of Yamahoko parade

Saki Matsuri

Ato Matsuri

Yamahoko building

Kaisho open hours

Kaisho is a place each Yamahoko float belongs to. Usually, it is a storehouse of floats. In Gion Matsuri, it works as headquarters. We can enjoy Kaisyo Kazari and buy souvenirs there.