THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE
- This page Intoroduction, Breaking 2023, etc.
- Page 2 Chinowa Kuguri, Chogomai, etc.
- Page 3 Hokotate, Omukae Chochin, Mikoshi Arai, etc.
- Page 4 Saki Matsuri Yoiyama
- Page 5 Samurai Armor exhibition, Yoimiya Sai, etc.
- Page 6 Saki Matsusri Yamahoko and Mikoshi parade, etc.
- Page 7 Ato Matsuri Yoiyama and Abare Kannon, etc.
- Page 8 Ato Matsuri Yamahoko parade, etc.
- Yamaboko float parade (山鉾巡行) 17th July Strongly Recommended
- Shinko sai (神幸祭) 17th July
- Mikoshi Togyo (神輿渡御) 17th July
- Building Yamaboko floats (鉾山建て) 18th July
- Hiki zome 曳初め 20th
- Mugon Mairi (無言詣り) 17th～24th July
- Matsu Tori Shiki and Matsu Tate (松取式 松建て) 19th July
- Hanagasa Junko Senjo Juyo Shiki (花傘巡行宣状授与式) 20th July
- Hashibenkei Yama Hikizome (橋弁慶山舁初め) 21th July
Yamaboko float parade (山鉾巡行) 17th July Strongly Recommended
23 Yamoboko floats parade around the area of ancient Kyoto city to gather evil spirits.
The highlight of Yamahoko parade is Tsujimawasi (Turning around of Yamahoko).
Yamaboko floats are pulled by many people. Around wheels, there are some people to help them. When hoko is moving, men pushe wheels with sick and change hoko’s direction with something like oar.
Shinko sai (神幸祭) 17th July
In Shinko sai, The boy called Kuze komagata chigo leads one of the three mikoshis to the area of ancient Kyoto city.
He is the most important figure in Gion matsuri festival. He has a horse head in the breast. It is “Goshintai” which the spitit of Susanono-mikoto descends to. With the Goshintai, he is considered as Kami himself. He has a privilege to enter the field of the shrine on his steed even though members of the royal family have to get off a horse.
Shinto Kami has two aspects. The one is fierce aspect called “Aramitama (荒御魂)”. It brings us anything bad like disasters, famine, malady, and so on. The another is peaceful aspect called “Nigimitama (和魂)”. It bring us anything good like harvest, peaceful state of mind, and so on.
In Ayato kuninaka shrine, “Aramitama” of Susanono mikoto is enshrined and that of “Nigimitama” is enshrined Yasaka shrine. The both of spirits is put together and and prepare for calm down the evil spirits.
Mikoshi Togyo (神輿渡御) 17th July
The most important event in Gion matsuri festival. Three Mikoshis depart Yasaka shrine and head for Otabisyo, where Mikoshis will be placed. They took different ways to reach there. They stay there for a week and come back to Yasaka shrine.
Building Yamaboko floats (鉾山建て) 18th July
Building of Yamohoko floats for Atomatsuri starts.
| Atomatsuri 後祭 | |
| 18~20th | Minami Kannnon Yama南観音山 |
| Shijo Ofune Hok四条大船鉾 | |
| Takayama鷹山 | |
| 18th | Kuranushi Yama黒主山 |
| 19~20th | Kitaami Kannon Yama北観音山 |
| 19th | Koiyama鯉山 |
| Jyomyo Yama浄妙山 | |
| 20th | Ennno Gyoja Yama役行者山 |
| Suzuka Yama鈴鹿山 | |
| Hachiman Yama八幡山 | |
| 21st | Hashi Benkei Yama橋弁慶山 |
Hiki zome 曳初め 20th
Test run of Minami Kannon Yama, Kita Kannon Yama, and Taka Yama.
Mugon Mairi (無言詣り) 17th～24th July
Three Mikoshis stay at Otabisho for a week. In this occasion, visit Yaska shrine and Otabisho for prayers. If you did’t say a word, your wishes would come true. On 24th, visit there 7 times.
Matsu Tori Shiki and Matsu Tate (松取式 松建て) 19th July
Kita Kannon Yama, Minami Kannnon Yama, and Takayama chose the Shinmatsu to be installed.
Hanagasa Junko Senjo Juyo Shiki (花傘巡行宣状授与式) 20th July
The permission of Hanagasa Junko is issued.
Hashibenkei Yama Hikizome (橋弁慶山舁初め) 21th July
The test run of Hashibenkei Yama.
