The is one of the largest and most famous festivals in Japan, taking place annually during the month of July in Kyoto. Many events take place in central Kyoto and at the Yasaka Shrine, the festival's patron shrine, located in Kyoto's famous Gion district, which gives the festival its name. There are many ceremonies held during the festival, but it is best known for its two processions of floats, which take place on July 17 and 24.

The three nights leading up to each day of a procession are sequentially called , , and . During these evenings, Kyoto's downtown area is reserved for pedestrian traffic, and some traditional private houses near the floats open their entryways to the public, exhibiting family heirlooms in a custom known as the . Additionally, the streets are lined with night stalls selling food such as (barbecued chicken on skewers), , (fried octopus balls), , traditional Japanese sweets, and many other culinary delights.

History

thumb|left|The parade held in [[Kyoto in the 1920s]]

Ancient years

thumb|right|Traditional wooden [[Matsuri Float|floats in Gion Matsuri 2014]]

The Gion Festival originated during an epidemic as part of a to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods, and earthquakes. In 869, when people were suffering from a plague attributed to vengeful spirits, Emperor Seiwa ordered prayers to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of the Yasaka Shrine. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each of the traditional provinces of Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden in the south of the imperial palace, along with from Yasaka Shrine. This practice was repeated wherever an outbreak of plague occurred. By the year 1000, the festival became an annual event and it has since seldom failed to take place. During the civil Onin War (under the Ashikaga shogunate), central Kyoto was devastated, and the festival was halted for three decades in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

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File:Crafts and food2.jpg|Festival street with food and craft vendors

File:Ayagasaboko.jpg|Ayagasaboko float marchers

File:Yamaboko Gion.jpg|A float (2013)

File:Crowd controlfestival.jpg|Police standing ready

File:Gion Matsuri-01.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-02.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-03.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-04.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-05.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-06.jpg

File:Gion Matsuri-07.jpg

</gallery>

Schedule of events

Following is a list of selected annual events in the Gion Festival.

  • July 1–5: , opening ceremony of festival in each participating neighborhood
  • July 2: , a lottery to determine the order of floats in the parade, conducted at the municipal assembly hall
  • July 7: Shrine visit by children of
  • July 10: Lantern parade to welcome
  • July 10: , cleansing of with sacred water from the Kamo River
  • July 10–13: Building of floats
  • July 13 (a.m.): Shrine visit by children of
  • July 13 (p.m.): Shrine visit by children of Kuse Shrine
  • July 14:
  • July 15:
  • July 16:
  • July 16: , art performances
  • July 17: Parade of floats
  • July 17: Parade of from Yasaka Shrine
  • July 18–20: Building of floats
  • July 21:
  • July 22:
  • July 23:
  • July 24: Parade of float
  • July 24: Parade of
  • July 24: Parade of to Yasaka Shrine
  • July 28: , cleansing of with sacred water from the Kamo River
  • July 31: Closing service at Eki Shrine

==Yamaboko floats==<!--Yamahoko redirects directly here-->

thumb|Niwatoriboko [[Matsuri Float|float, one of the first to begin the parade. Festival-goers take turns getting on the float through a side building.]]

The floats in the parade are divided into two groups, the larger ("halberd") and the smaller ("mountain"), and are collectively called . Musicians sit in the floats playing drums and flutes.

  • Height: about
  • Attendants: 14–24 people to pull, push or carry

See also

  • Gion cult
  • Japanese festivals

Notes

  • Gion Matsuri Procession Route 2014
  • The Gion Festival