Category Archives: Da✿

Shijo-kasa-hoko 四条傘鉾 This float features a parasol framed with dyed fabric decorations, and is accompanied by young stick-twirlers and musicians during the Gion festival procession. In addition, this float is a unique for having originated before the Onin Wars (1467-1477), and is believed to be a prototype of the other Gion festival floats. Though repeatedlyContinue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Shijo-kasa-hoko 四条傘鉾”

Ayagasa-hoko 綾傘鉾 This is one of the parasol-type floats that are regarded as a prototype of the Gion-Festival floats. This float features a large parasol, and is accompanied by divine messenger boys known as “Chigo”, and a troop of musicians and stick twirlers during the parade. The members who accompany this float during the paradeContinue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Ayagasa-hoko 綾傘鉾”

Niwatori-hoko 鶏鉾 This float derives its name from a famous tale that took place in ancient China when the legendary Emperor Yao was in power. During this time the entire country was so well governed that drums, which were meant to be hit when a complaint was made against the leaders, became coated with mossContinue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Niwatori-hoko 鶏鉾”

Tokusa-yama 木賊山 This float derives its name from “Tokusa” (“Scouring Rush”), a Noh play written by the great Zeami in the 15th century. The figure on the float is an old man from the Noh play who had his son kidnapped years ago, and manages to survive by mowing Tokusa rush without any family toContinue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Tokusa-yama 木賊山”

Abura-tenjin-yama 油天神山 This float enshrines Michizane Sugawara deified as Tenjin (Deity of thunder), a renowned scholar statesman who lived about 1,100 years ago. A small Tenjin shrine dedicated to Michizane, the patron of scholastic achievements, exist in the neighborhood of Abura-no-koji St., after which this float is named. This float has a vermilion torii gateContinue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Abura-tenjin-yama 油天神山”

Kakkyo-yama 郭巨山 (かっきょやま) This float, also known as Kama-hori-yama (literally “Pot-digging float”), is named after “Kakkyo”, the central character of one of the stories of “The Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars,” a classic text of Confucian filial piety from China. The character Kakkyo, who lived during the later Han dynasty (China) in the 1st – 3rd century,Continue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Kakkyo-yama 郭巨山”

Tsuki-hoko 月鉾 This float derives its name from a crescent moon on the top of its pole. Halfway up the pole the deity of the moon known as Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, is enshrined. The gorgeous pictures of flowers and grasses on the lower side of the eaves of this float were rendered in 1784 by Maruyama Okyo,Continue reading “2019jul16 • Gion Matsuri • Tsuki-hoko 月鉾”