- Introduction
- Breaking News 2022年最新情報
- The schedule of 2022
- The order of Yamahoko Parade 2022
- What is Gion Matsuri?
- Schedule of Gion matsuri festival
- Nagoshi no harae (夏越の祓), 30th June
- The parade of commemorating the new Imperial era and 1150th anniversarry of Gion matsuri.
- Kipu-iri 吉符入, 1st July
- Naginataboko cho Osendo 長刀鉾町お千度, 1st of July
- Decision of the order of Yamahoko parade, 2nd July
- Yamanoko Rengokai visit Yasaka shrine 山鉾連合会社参 2nd of July
- Funeboko cho Shinmen Aratame 船鉾町神面改め 2nd of July
- The Chigomai performance of Naginataboko 長刀鉾町稚児舞披露 5th July
- Gion Sagimai dance performance 津和野に継承された祇園祭鷺舞神事の里帰りご奉納 6th and 7th of July
- Hamo Hono Hokokusai, (鱧奉納奉告祭）6th July
- Ayagasa Hoko Chigo Shasn, (綾傘鉾稚児社参）6th July
- Naginatahoko Heikiri (長刀鉾幣切) 10th July
- Nabibnatahokocho Haitai no Gi 長刀鉾町拝戴の儀 10th July
- Takahashi cho Shasan 高橋町社参 10th July
- Building Yamahokos, (鉾建て)10th July
Introduction
EXCLUSIVE!!! Takayama comes back to Yamahoko Parade for the 1st time in 196 years!!!
CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME BAAAAAHCK!!!
Gion matsuri is one of the oldest matsuri/festival in Japan. It started in 869 and 2019 marks the 1150th anniversary. There are many rituals held in July and we call them “Gion matsuri.” In this article, you can see exact schedule they are held.
Breaking News 2022年最新情報
7/31
Today, Gion Mtsuri 2022 was completed. I extend my deepest gratitude and respect for every single person engaged in the festival and all the reades. 合掌
7/24
7/20
The souvenirs of Takayama are available.
7/19
7/17
7/15 Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々山
Yoi Miya Sai宵宮祭
Now the Deities are on Mikoshis and ready for outing.
Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々山
ぎやあああああああ！！！！！
Yoiyama area is so crowded as usual year.
Tomorrow,オニのようにCROWDED.
There were a few Food stands.
7/14 Yoi Yoi Yoi Yama 宵々々山
Breaking report, 合掌
- NO traffic regulations are in effect but lots of police officer are there.
- We cannot stay around Naginata Hoko, and Kanko Hoko.
- At 19:00, Chimaki of Naginata Hoko are sold out.
- We can get 4 Goshuin stamps at Kanko Hoko.
- At Yamabushi Yama Kaisho, we can admire brad-new Mizuhikis (somthing like carpets decolate floats.) . Buy something at Yamabushiyama to see them. Usual year, we exercise Chinowakuguri but it’s not available this year due to COVID-19. 3 types of Goshuin stamps are available.
- Ofune Hoko Kaisho is open in Sakimatsuri. Goshuin stamps and souvenirs are available. This year, Ofune Hoko parades with a golden dragon. It makes Ryuto Gekishu with Fune Hoko.
- At Toroyama Kaisyo, most of all T-shrits are sold out.
- It takes about 90 minutes to see all of Yamahoko floats except Hosho Yama. It will take much more time on 15th and 16th.
- In Yoiyama, it’s hot because there are lots of people around us. Take water or smth when feeling thirsty.
Make sure what Ryouto Gekishu is.
Kanko Hoko has 4 types Goshiin stamps. 1 and 2 is available any other years except ”令和四年.” ”令和四年” is our Imperial year. Get both of them at a Tent located east to Kanko Hoko. 3 is available at the one to located west to it. 4 is available at the one to located west to it. Each one of them is 300 JPY.
4 is peculiar. Soラブリー( Rabu Ry, lovely)
Mikoshi Arasishiki 神輿洗式
The schedule of 2022
| Date | Hours | EVENTS | |
| 1st | 10:00 | Naginatahokocho Osendo 長刀鉾町御千度 | Ochigosan and the neighbourhood association of Naginata Hoko pay a visit to Yasaka shrine. |
| 2nd | 11:30 | Yamahoko Rengokai Shasan 山鉾連合会社参 | Members of Yamahoko Rengokai association pay a visit to Yasaka shrine. |
| 6th | 14:00 | Hamo Hono Hokoku Sai 鱧奉納奉告祭 | The Tourism Association of Awaji dedicates Hamo fishes. |
| 7th | 14:30 | Ayagasahoko Chigo Shasan 綾傘鉾稚児社参 | Ochigosan and the neighborhood association pay a visit to Yasaka shrine. |
| 10th | 13:00 | Japanese Mythology Reading 日本神話語り奉納 | Story tellers’ dedication of Japanese Mythology. |
| Omukae Chochin お迎え提灯 | CANCELED | ||
| 18:00~ | Mikoshi Arai Shiki 神輿洗式 | Mikoshi is cleansed at Yasaka Shrine. | |
| 11th | 14:00 | Noh Dedicaiton 金剛流能奉納 | At Yasaka Shrine. |
| 13th | 11:00 | Naginatahoko Chigo Shasan 長刀鉾稚児社参 | Ochogosan pays a visit to Yasaka shrine on his steed. |
| Kuze Chigo Shasan 久世稚児社参 | The counsil of Ayato Kuninaka shrine pays a visit to Yasaka shrine. | ||
| 15th | 10:00 | Ikamaryuu Hocho Honoshiki 生間流包丁奉納式 | In the main hall of Yasaka shrine. |
| 15:00 | Dedication of Traditional Preformances 祇園祭伝統芸能大会 | Imayo, and others. | |
| 20:00 | Yoimiya Sai 宵宮祭 | Preiests lead the Deities in to Mikoshi. | |
| 16th | 9:00 | Kencha Sai 献茶祭 | At Yasaka Shrine. |
| 18:30 | Iwami Kagura Hono 岩見神楽 | The Kagura performance tells a story of the Deity. | |
| 23:00 | Hiyori Kagura 日和神楽 | The musicians of Yamahoko floats dedicates Kagura music to the Deities at Otabisho. | |
| 17th | 9:00 | Yamahoko Parade 山鉾巡行 | For the 1st time in 3 years!!! |
| 18:00 | Gosinrei Togyo Sai 御神霊渡御祭 | 3 Mikoshis head for Otabisho. | |
| 23rd | 9:00 | Sencha Kencha Sai 煎茶献茶祭 | At Yasaka Shrine. |
| 24th | 9:30 | Yamahoko Parade 山鉾巡行 | For the 1st time in 3 years!!! |
| Hanagasa Parade 花傘巡行 | CANCELED | ||
| Around 21:00 | Kanko Sai 還幸祭 | 3 Mikoshis return Yasaka shrine. | |
| 25th | 11:00 | Kyogen Hono 狂言奉納 | At Yasaka Shrine. |
| 18:30 | Mikoshi Arai Shiki 神輿洗式 | At Yasaka Shrine. | |
| 31st | 10:00 | Eki Jinja Nagoshi Sai 疫神社夏越祭 | At Eki Jinja shrine, in Yasaka shrine. |
The order of Yamahoko Parade 2022
Intorduction
The order of Yamahok Parade of the year depends on lottery except fixed ones since 1500. The following is the order of 2022.
Saki Matsuri
| 1 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 長刀鉾(Naginata Hoko |
| 2 | 山壱番(Yama 1st) | 孟宗山(Moso Yama) |
| 3 | 山弐番(Yama 12nd) | 保昌山(Hosho Yama) |
| 4 | 山参番(Yama 3rd) | 郭巨山(Kakkyo Yama) |
| 5 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 函谷鉾(Kanko Hoko) |
| 6 | 山四番(Yama 4th) | 白楽天山(Hakurakuten Yama) |
| 7 | 傘壱番(kasa 1st) | 四条傘鉾(Sijo Kasahoko) |
| 8 | 山五番(Yama 5th) | 油天神山(Abura Tenjin Yama) |
| 9 | 鉾壱番(Hoko 2nd) | 月鉾(Tsuki Hoko) |
| 10 | 山六番(Yama 6th) | 蟷螂山(Toro Yama) |
| 11 | 山七番(Yama 7th) | 山伏山(Yamabushi Yama) |
| 12 | 山八番(Yama 8th) | 霰天神山(Araretenjin Yama) |
| 13 | 鉾弐番(Hoko 2nd) | 鶏鉾(Niwatori Hoko) |
| 14 | 山九番(Yama 9th) | 木賊山(Tokusa Yama) |
| 15 | 傘弐番(Kasa 2nd) | 綾傘鉾(Ayagasa Hoko) |
| 16 | 山拾番(Yama 10th) | 占出山(Urade Yama) |
| 17 | 鉾参番(Hoko 3rd) | 菊水鉾(Kikusui Hoko) |
| 18 | 山拾一番(Yama 11th) | 芦刈山(Ashikari Yama) |
| 19 | 山拾弐番(Yama 12th) | 伯牙山(Hakuga Yama) |
| 20 | 山拾参番(Yama 13th) | 太子山(Taishi Yama) |
| 21 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 放下鉾(Hoka Hoko) |
| 22 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 岩戸山(Iwato Yama) |
| 23 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 船鉾(Fune Hoko) |
Ato Matsuri
| 1 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 橋弁慶山(Hashibenkei Yama) |
| 2 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 北観音山(Kita Kannnon Yama) |
| 3 | 山壱番(Yama 1st) | 浄妙山(Jyomyo Yama) |
| 4 | 山弐番(Yama 12nd) | 鯉山(Koi Yama) |
| 5 | 山参番(Yama 3rd) | 鈴鹿山(Suzuka Yama) |
| 6 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 南観音山(Minami Kannon Yama) |
| 7 | 山四番(Yama 4th) | 役行者山(En no Gyojya Yama) |
| 8 | 山五番(Yama 5th) | 黒主山(Kuronushi Yama) |
| 9 | 山六番(Yama 6th) | 八幡山(Hachiman Yama) |
| 10 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 鷹山(Taka Yama) |
| 11 | くじ取らず(FIXED) | 大船鉾(Ohfune Hoko) |
What is Gion Matsuri?
- Why celebrated?
- Why Gion matsuri started in the private garden of emperors? (It is a post of the rock garden of Ryoanji and shows you the meaning of Japanese garden.)
- Gozu tenno and epidemics
- Mikoshis of Gion Matsuri
- When Yamahoko parade started?
- How to make Yamahoko floats?
- All the Yamahoko floats
- Sakimatsuri Yoiyama
- Atomatsuri Yoiyama
Schedule of Gion matsuri festival
Nagoshi no harae (夏越の祓), 30th June
Chinowa Kuguri
Before Gion matsuri, we have “Nagoshi no harae (夏越の祓)” on 30th of June. It based on a ritual of imperial court held in June and November. We pass through a big wreath of “Chigaya” and let it take away anything evil within us.
Minatsuki (水無月)
Strongly recommended!
We eat “Minatsuki”, a Wagshi (Japanese traditinal confectionary) on 30th June. Many Wagashi parlor sell it only in June or July but we can have it at Fukueido 365 days a year.
I also recommend this “Dango” called “Gion no tsuki (The moon in Gion)” to you. You also have it there.
The parade of commemorating the new Imperial era and 1150th anniversarry of Gion matsuri.
As indicated before, 2019 marked 1st year of Reiwa, the new Japanese Imperial era and the 1150th anniversarry of Gion matsuri. The parade depart Yasaka shrine heading for the center of Kyoto city and Otabisho, where three Deities and Mikoshi stay.
It doesn’t take place in 2022 !
Kipu-iri 吉符入, 1st July
In Kaisyo, the headquarters of Yamahoko, Goshintai is prepared. Goshintai is an object to which Shinto Kami (a kind of God) descends. Every Yamahoko has Goshintai.
If a Yamahoko has Ohayasi, the Japanese traditional orchestra played in matsuri, the players start to practice it. (See video.This is the Ohayashi of Ofuna-hoko)
Naginataboko cho Osendo 長刀鉾町お千度, 1st of July
Osendo means “To visit shrine or themple and pray a thousand times.” On the day, Ikichigo and other people of Naginataboko vist Yasaka shrine and pray for a success of Gion matsuri. They pray in front of and at the back of the shrine marching around three times. In this way of pray is considered as a thousand times pray.
Decision of the order of Yamahoko parade, 2nd July
At 10:00 Kyoto Municipal office
Lottery decides the order of Yamaboko parade.
After Onin no Ran, the largest civil war in Japanese history devasted our country including Gion matsuri. Kyotoites have no idea how to decide to an order of the parade.
The custom started in 1500 to avoid conflict on the order of it.
It started at Rokkakudo temple because it worked as Kaisyo, a place people in neiborhood to gather to decide something.
Yamanoko Rengokai visit Yasaka shrine 山鉾連合会社参 2nd of July
The delegates of eacn Yamaboko visit Yasaka shrine and pray for a success of Gion matsuri,
11:30~ at Yasaka shrine.
Funeboko cho Shinmen Aratame 船鉾町神面改め 2nd of July
Not open to public every year
Goshintai is object to which Deity descend. Funaboko has four Goshintai statue. One of them is that of Empress Jingu.
She head for a battle field though she was pregnant. For the purpose of making a birth of her son late, she wapper her belly with cold stones in Sarashi towel. After a triamph, she gave birth to Hondawake no Mikoto, also known as Emperor Ojin.
On this episode, she has Goriyaku, a sacred power, for easy delivery. The statue has two masks. One is the authentic one which carried by a member of Ofuneboko, and the other is a replica the statue wears.
The authentic one is brought to the Imperial court to make birth of Emperor success.
The last time was some 170 years ago. It helped a birth of Emperor Meiji.
The Chigomai performance of Naginataboko 長刀鉾町稚児舞披露 5th July
Ikichigo of Naginataboko of the year appears in public and performs “Chigomai” dance at Kaisho. The footage is Chigomai in Yamanboko parade.
15:30~ Naginataboko Kaisho
Gion Sagimai dance performance 津和野に継承された祇園祭鷺舞神事の里帰りご奉納 6th and 7th of July
In ancient times, Za, a kind of guild in Japan, served Yamaboko for Gion matsuri. One of them is called “Kasasagiboko (Yamaboko of heron).” It is believed that this Sagimai dance was belonged to the Yamaboko. It was ceased to exist in Gion matsuri due to Onin no Ran.
Fortunately, Gion-sha of Yamaguchi prefecture inheritated the dance bifore its extinction.
And Yasaka shrine of Tsuwano, Shimane prefecture learned it from Gion-sha.
The team of Sagimai in Shimane came to all the way to Kyoto to perform the dance to commemorate of the new Imperial era and the 1150th anniversary of Gion matsuri.
An artist developed Sagi mai into Sagi Odori dance in Omukae Chochin.
6th July: 15:00 and 16:00 at Yasaka shrine.
6th July: 11:00 and 12:00 at Yasaka shrine.
This doesn’t take place in 2022!
Hamo Hono Hokokusai, (鱧奉納奉告祭）6th July
The Tourism Association of Awaji dedicates Hamo fishes for the festival.
14:00~
Ayagasa Hoko Chigo Shasn, (綾傘鉾稚児社参）6th July
Ochigosan and the neighborhood association pay a visit to Yasaka shrine to pray.
Naginatahoko Heikiri (長刀鉾幣切) 10th July
Preists of Ysaka shrine visit the Kaisoyo of Naginata Hoko and prepare Heisoku.
Nabibnatahokocho Haitai no Gi 長刀鉾町拝戴の儀 10th July
Naginataboko has Naginata, a kind of long sword, on its roof. The one in the photo is an authentic Naginata of Naginatabako. The one on the roof is an exact replica made of bamboo.
On the day, a man rubs backs of important members of Naginataboko with the authentic one to get rid of anything evil in them.
Last year, we can have a replica of the replica.
Takahashi cho Shasan 高橋町社参 10th July
Ohmandokor Otabisho, one of former Otabishos, used to belong to Takahashi cho district. The members of the committee visit to pray for the sucess of Imitake installation. In Gion Matsuri, 2 Imitakes are installed at the crossing of Shijo and Fuyacho street. There is a Shimenawa rope between them. It makes Kekkai that tells a sacred place from a secular world. In Gion Matsuri, Ochigo san of Nginata Hoko cut off the Shimenawa and the parade goes into the sacred place.
Residents of Takahashicho visit Yasaka shrine to pray for a success of making the border.
Building Yamahokos, (鉾建て)10th July
Strongly recommended
The construction of Hoko
They start to built Yamahokos of Sakimatsuri. The construction of Yamahokos are very simple. Builders put wooden pillars together with only ropes.This art is called nawagarami (縄絡み). NO nails are allowed. Only ropes are available.
These are parts of Niwatorihoko. Take a look at black wooden blocks. Red Kanjis are written on them. The Kanjis indicates where each blocks ought to be. These blocks make diagrams for construction. For example, the Kanjis on the block in the bottom of the picture indicate “On the north side of the east face (of Yamahoko), 6.”
The parts of Yamohoko are in the warehouse near the headquarters.
The construction workers building the Niwatori-hoko with ropes and wedges.
These are the pictures of Kikusui hoko. Hoko has long horn called “Shingi (真木)”. The white line in the second picture stands for it. It is so long and heavy that hoko has pillars called “Kamuro bashira” (禿柱, in red line in the picture) which hold Shingi.
On the other hand, some Yamas don’t have the Kamuro bashira. Kita kannnon yama resembles in appearance, but different in construction.
The ill-balanced construction make hokos swing when they march.
The following are the dates each Yamahoko-building starts
Schedule
- 10th~12th: Naginata-hoko, Kanko-hoko, Tsuki-hoko, Niwator-hoko, and Kikusui-hoko
- 11th~13th: Hoka-hoko and Fune-hoko
