
A beginner's guide to enjoying the "Gion Festival Yamaboko Junko
One of the three major festivals in Japan, Kyoto's Gion Festival has a history of more than 1,000 years. Various festivities are held during the month of July every year. During the Yoiyama period, when the festival is crowded with many people, it is possible to receive chimaki, which are good luck charms to ward off epidemics and other calamities. In this issue, we will introduce information on the sale of chimaki and the origin of each float. We will also cover other gifts other than chimaki, so please refer to them when you go to Yoiyama. (TEXT/Moko Shihara, PHOTO/Emi Masuda, EDIT/Miki Tamura)
According to the "Gion Sha Ki," the "Ofunaboko" was built in 1441 (Kakichi 1). While the Funaboko of the previous festival represents Empress Jingu's departure for battle, this one depicts her triumphant return after winning the battle. Since its return to the parade in 2014 for the first time in 150 years, it has served as the shingari of the second festival, without taking a lot of lots. Since dragons are often used as ornaments, they are also placed on the hakama paper of the chimaki. The dragon flying between the auspicious clouds in the sky and the blue ocean waves on the ground is said to be meant to ward off evil.
Name of the float: Ofuneboko
Place of conferment / Shijo-machi Ofunaboko Preservation Society Office
授与期間/7月13日(月)~16日(木)、7月20日(月・祝)~23日(木) ※総授与数終わり次第終了
Award price/1,000 yen
[Tenugui (hand towel)" by Kakkosan
Mt. Guogeosan is named after the legend of Guogeo, who appears in the Chinese historical tale "The Twenty-Four Filial Piety". Also known as "Kama-bori-san," the mountain is said to bring good luck in the form of money. Many of the gifts are decorated with motifs of a hoe and a pot of gold, in reference to the episode in which Kakugeo dug up a pot of gold with a hoe. Tenugui hand towels, dyed by a traditional technique called chusen (pouring dye), are available in several designs, so try to find your favorite.
Name of the float: Kakko-yama (Mt. Kakkyo)
Place of conferment / Kakkozan Town Hall, Gozan side tent
授与期間/7月14日(火)〜16日(木)
Award price / 1,200 yen
[Inu-mikuji" (dog fortune) at Mt.
In 2022, it will return to the rear of the festival for the first time in 196 years. In 2022, the festival returned to the rear of the festival for the first time in 196 years. The Inu-mikuji, with its adorable face, is associated with the Inukai, one of the three sacred objects of the festival, and there are also other omikuji with a hawk and chimaki motif. You can choose one of them, or enjoy drawing all three types.
Name of the float: Takayama
Place of conferment / Takayama Town Hall
授与期間/7月21日(火)~23日(木)
Award price/700 yen
[The "Passing Handprint" of [Hakurakutenzan].
Birakuten, a Tang Dynasty poet, and Zen Master Dorin, who lives on top of an old pine tree, exchange questions and answers about Buddhism [Birakutenzan]. The temple is said to be blessed with good fortune for academic achievement and success in entrance examinations, as it is associated with the spirit of seeking the path of Birakuten, who was impressed by Zen master Dorin's answers. Among the many prizes, the handbill for passing an entrance examination is a perfect talisman for entrance examinations. On the reverse side of the handprint is a picture of a mountain, as if to support those who study hard in the shadows.
Name of float / Hakurakutenyama
Place of conferment / Hakuraku Tenzan Town Hall
授与期間/7月14日(火)〜16日(木)
Award price/1,000 yen
[Kacho candy" at Jomyozan
[The name "Jomyozan" comes from a passage in the "Tale of the Heike" about a battle along the Uji River. In the battle for the lead in the "Battle of the Bridge," young Ichirai Houshi leaps over the head of Tsutsui Jomyobo, a man of great prowess. On the mountain, the sacred objects are connected to each other with wedges of wood to beautifully express the acrobatic gesture. This dynamic image can also be seen in the illustration that adorns the Katsudoame (victory candy), a prize given to the god. [The two types of red and white candies, which have been purified at Yasaka Shrine, are delicious and bring good luck for the winners.
Name of the float: Jomyozan (Mt.)
Place of conferment/Store in front of Jomyozan Decorative Seat
授与期間/7月21日(火)~23日(木)
授与価格/500円
Over 600 interviews per year! An order site carefully selected by the editors who knows Kyoto and Shiga.
nowOfficial LINE friend registration500 yen OFF coupon is being issued!
Distributed every Friday morning at 8:00 am! From new restaurant information to event information that we want to share with you, We deliver articles about Kyoto that are useful to know. About 20,000 people have registered.Click here to add a friend!