Gion Matsuri, the festival of Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, is the most famous festival in Japan. It takes place over the entire month of July. There are many different events, but the grand procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) is particularly spectacular. The word Yamaboko refers to the two types of floats used in the procession: the 23 yama and 10 hoko. One of the main reasons the Gion Matsuri is so impressive is the enormity of the hoko, which are up to 25 meters tall, weigh up to 12 tons, and are pulled on wheels as big as people. Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated and represent unique themes.
Another reason for the festival’s impressiveness is its long and almost uninterrupted history. It dates back to 869 as a religious ceremony to appease the gods during the outbreak of an epidemic. Even today, the festival continues the practice of selecting a local boy to be a divine messenger. The child cannot set foot on the ground from the 13th until after he has been paraded through town on the 17th.
Preparing the big shrines on the evening before the grand tour
Moving the shrines
Decorating the shrines
Pulling the shrines through the streets of Gion, a district of Kyoto
Pulling the shrines through the bend
A symbolic Kami (God) sits at the top of the shrine
Encouraging the pullers
Close up of the shrine
Cleansing ceremony. men are burning away diseases.
Streetparade
Streetparade.
Girl on horseback during Gion Matsuri procession.
Streetparade
Streetparade
Very young Geisha girl during Gion matsuri festival.
Girls during Gion Matsuri.
Young paticipants
Group photo of beautifully dressed youngsters.
Festtivity with traditional dresses
Beautifuuly dressed young lady.
Geisha girls.
Young participants
Young participants