Gion matsuri Schedule 2020

Overview

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.

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.

シカさん

It doesn’t take place in 2020!

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.

The order of 2019

Sakimatsuri (前祭)

Naginatanoko, Toroyama, Ashikariyama, Tokusayama, Kankoboko, Kakkyoyama, Ayagasaboko, Hakugayama, Kikusuiboko, Aburatenjinyama, Tasihiyama, Hoshoyama, Niwatoriboko, Hakurakutenyama, Sijokasaboko, Mosoyama, Tsukiboko, Yamabushiyama, Uradeyama, Araretenjinyama, Hokaboko, Iwatoyama, Funeboko.

The enhanced Yamboko are Kujitorazu, the ones their orders are fixed.

Atomatsuri (後祭)

Hashibenkeiyama, Kitakannonyama, Koiyama, Hachimanyama, Kuronushiyama, Mimamikannonyama, Ennogyojyaoama, Jyomyoyama, Suzukayama, Takayama, Ofuneboko.

The enhanced Yamboko are Kujitorazu, the ones their orders are fixed.

たけちよ

Takayama is to be back to the parade for the first time in 193

years!

七里ヶ浜親方

CONGRATURARIONS!!!!!!!

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

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.

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

10th

Naginata-hoko, Kanko-hoko, Tsuki-hoko, Niwator-hoko, and Kikusui-hoko

11th

Hoka-hoko and Funa-hoko

13th

Ayakasa-hoko

14th

Sijo-kasa-hoko

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

Naginataboko cho Osendo 長刀鉾町お千度, 1st of July

Chigo of Ayagasaboko visit Yasaka shrine 綾傘鉾稚児社参　7th July

Chigo (means children in old Japanese language) of Ayakasaboko visit Yasaka shrine to pray a success of Gion matsuri. They walk with Ayakasanoko in the Ymaboko parade.

14:30~ at Yasaka shrine.

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.

やぎももさん

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.

シカさん

This doesn’t take place in 2020!

Naginataboko Heisokukiri 長刀鉾幣切　10th July

Priests of Yasaka shrine visit Naginataboko Kaisho and make Heisoku.

Heisoku is a peace of paper hanging on something sacred. The Heisoku in the photo is Ohei. (Not the ones of Naginataboko)

Nabibnatabokocho Haitai no Gi 長刀鉾町拝戴の儀 10the 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.

七里ヶ浜親方

Last year, we can have a replica of the replica.

Takahashi cho Shasan 高橋町社参　10th July

In Yamaboko parade, Ikichigo of Naginata boko cut off a rope makes “Kekkai” border with sword. Keikkai is an eclosed area separated form secular world.

Residents of Takahashicho visit Yasaka shrine to pray for a success of making the border.