The Gion Festival is one of the most popular summer festivals in Kyoto. The parade of the gorgeous and dynamic Yamaboko floats is the highlight of the festival. The "Kyo-koma Gion Yamaboko" is characterized by its round shape in the center. The base is made of a traditional craft, Kyo-koma, and each of the three parts of the float can be rotated by pulling out a piece from the float. The creation was made by Yoshiyuki Nakamura of Jakkyu, a company specializing in the production of Kyoto's traditional craft, Kyo-koma. Each colorful and lustrous local toy is handmade by traditional craftsmen who use the traditional technique of winding cotton flat string over and over again. A closer look reveals that not only the tops, but also the wheels and mantis of the base are made with the same technique of kyokoma-making. Originally, kyokoma were made by winding scraps of kimonos around each other and were used as elegant playthings by the court. Instead of winding a string around it and throwing it away, people enjoy spinning it by pinching the bamboo shaft with their fingers and admiring the colors as it spins.
*Not sold as a set.
*Please remove the mantis when turning the mantis.