Gion matsuri Schedule 2023 : Mikoshi, Yamahoko parade Yoiyama 祇園祭日程2024英語版

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.

"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

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 2023 !

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.

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 2023!

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.

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

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.