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十二月遊ひ 2巻. 上 / 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション

Gion Festival

Gion Matsuri is a festival held in Kyoto every July. It is said to have originated in the Heian era to pray for the elimination of plagues and evil. It is now held at Yasaka Shrine.

The Gion Festival of Yasaka Shrine is held every year throughout the month of July. It was previously known as Gion Goryo-e. The festival is thought to have originated in 869, during the Heian era. To prevent the spread of the plague, it was ordered that 66 halberds be set up, representing the number of provinces in Japan, and various prayers and festivities be carried out. These included praying to Gozu Tenno (the protective deity of the Yasaka Shrine, and of the original Gion Shoja - Jetavana Vihara), and carrying mikoshi (portable shrines) to Shinsen-en Temple. It is believed Gozu Tenno is also Susanoo no Mikoto (God of the sea and storms). From its beginnings at the Yasaka Shrine, the Gion Festival has become a spectacular festival involving the parade of hundreds of people, including the Miko shrine maidens, Dengaku (ritual music and dancing), and Hayashi musicians.

The procession of yamaboko (decorated floats) began in the 14th century, during the Northern and Southern Court period, and is synonymous with the festival. During the war, the decorated floats appeared in each town as a symbol of unity among the townspeople. Thus, there was strong sentimentality towards this style of float, and the number of yamaboko increased until they reached 58 in the 15th century. During the Onin no Ran (Onin War), the festival did not proceed, however, it recommenced in 1496.

 Currently, a procession of 23 floats travel from Shijo Karasuma to Shinmachi Oike on July 17. The second parade, with 10 floats, takes place on July 24 from Karasuma Oike to Shijo Karasuma.

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『花洛細見図』(元禄17年(1704)刊)に描かれた祇園祭

Photo of Gion Festival

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  • 京都市中京区に所在。京都の歴史や文化を紹介する。

  • 京都市東山区に所在。祇園祭について詳細な展示。高さ約7メールにも及ぶ原寸大の鉾に実際に触れられたり、屏風に見立てた大型モニターで祇園祭のハイライトを見ることが出来る体験型の観光施設。

References

  1. アリカ, 新潮社 編,新潮社
  2. 宗政五十緒 編,東京堂出版
  3. 京都地名研究会 編,勉誠出版