Thread by @camelliakyoto

🥁THE FLOATS OF THE GION MATSURI🙌
July, consumed as it is with the Gion Matsuri, always passes in the blink of an eye, so I thought I'd compile a list of the 34 individual floats ('yamaboko' 山鉾) that you'll be able to see at this month's festival.

#GionMatsuri #祇園祭 #Kyoto

1) NAGINATA-HOKO (長刀鉾)⚔️

The Naginata-hoko always leads the Gion Matsuri's first parade, the 'Saki Matsuri' (先祭り). As it is exempt from the lottery to determine the position of the floats, it was known in the past as 'Kuji-torazu' (くじ取らず 'Lot-drawing Not Necessary').

The float's name comes from the long halberd (鉾 'hoko') that rises from its roof to drive away evil. It is said the original was made by famed swordsmith Sanjō Munechika (三條宗近) in the 10thC to thank the gods after his daughter was spared from a terrible plague.
#Japan #Kyoto

The Naginata-hoko (長刀鉾 aka Naginata-boko), the best known of the floats, opens and then leads the Yamaboko Junkō (山鉾巡行).
Nowadays it is the only float upon which a 'sacred page' (稚児 'chigo') rides. Originally all hoko floats (鉾) would have had their own chigo.
#祇園祭

2) KIKUSUI-BOKO (菊水鉾)💧

The Kikusui-boko is named after a local spring called 'Kikusui-i' (菊水井 'Chrysanthemum Water Well') & the Chinese story of the 'Chrysanthemum Boy', an exiled favourite of the emperor who lived for 700 years by drinking dew from chrysanthemums.
#Kyoto

A student of the famed tea master Sen-no-Rikyu (千利休 1522-91) built a small teahouse close to the old well and christened it 'Kikusui-i' (菊水井). The float later took this name.

The original float was destroyed in the 1864 Kinmon Incident (禁門の変) & finally rebuilt in 1952.

3) KOI-YAMA (鯉山)🐟

Koi-yama tells the Chinese legend of a carp that struggled up 'Ryūmon-no-taki' (竜門の滝 'Dragon Gate Waterfall') on the Yellow River to become a dragon.
The float's small shrine is dedicated to Susanoo (須佐之男), god of the sea, storms and Yasaka-jinja.

Float talismans, echoing the carp's determination, promise advancement in life.
The 16thC Belgian tapestry (イーリアス) was purchased by Hasekura Tsunenaga (支倉六右衛門常長) on his European tour for Date Masamune (伊達政宗 1567-1636). It depicts images from the Trojan War.
#京都

4) KAKKYO-YAMA (郭巨山)🕳️

The uniquely roofed Kakkyo-yama ('Pot-Digging Float') is named after a story in 'The 24 Filial Exemplars' (二十四孝).
Kakkyo is too poor to feed his family and concludes he must bury his son alive so that there is enough food for his aged mother.
#Japan

Upon digging the grave he discovers gold and all is well.
The story teaches that filial piety will reap rewards!🤔

This is the only 'yama' float with a roof (日覆障子), which dates to the Edo period. American art historian Ernest Fenollosa recorded visiting the float in 1888.

5) KITAKANNON-YAMA (北観音山)🩹

First appearing in 1353, Kitakannon-yama (the 'North Kannon Float'), known also as 'Nobori Kannon' (上り観音山 'Ascending Kannon'), for a long time led the festival's 'Ato Matsuri' (後祭り) on July 24th.
It is now 25th float in the lineup.
#祇園祭

The float features images of Yōryū 'Willow' Kannon (楊柳観音), healer of diseases & 1 of Kannon's 33 forms, and Idaten (韋駄天), guardian of the dharma.
At the parade's end people rush to take the float's willow leaves.
It may look like a hoko, but the pine indicates it's a yama.

6) MINAMIKANNON-YAMA (南観音山)🧳

In former times the 2 Kannon-yama floats took turns each year to participate, but now both participate in the Ato-no-Matsuri.
Nicknamed 'Kudari Kannon' (下り観音), the 'Descending Kannon', Minamikannon-yama once ended the parade.
#Kyoto #京都

The float takes its name from the story of Zenzai-dōji (善財童子), a boy who sought enlightenment.
He discovered 53 spiritual teachers on his travels. The 28th (South Sea) Kannon showed him how to save humans from suffering! In the end Zenzai-dōji became a Bodhisattva.
#Japan

The float enshrines Yōryū Kannon (楊柳観音), known after the willow branch the bodhisattva holds. Made in Kamakura times, only the chest & head survived fire in 1788.
Protecting against illness, this form of Kannon is also named Yakuō Bosatsu (薬王菩薩 'Medicine Bodhisattva').

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
lib.ehime-u.ac.jp
(Kikusui-boko)
koiyama.com
(Koi-yama)
publicdomainq.net,
objecthub.keio.ac.jp,
dh-jac.net,
kyotomoyou.jp/gionmatsuri-ya…,
kyototrip.net/gionmatsuri-yo…
(Kakkyo-yama)
emuseum.nich.go.jp
(Minamikannon-yama)

7) ABURA TENJIN-YAMA (油天神山)🐂

Abura Tenjin-yama enshrines Sugawara-no-Michizane (菅原道真 845-903) and is named after the small Tenjin shrine (天満宮) dedicated to him in the neighbourhood of Abura-no-kōji (油小路).
The float was reconstructed after fire in 1864.
#Kyoto

The float is also nicknamed 'Ushi Tenjin-yama' (牛天神山) as the enshrined statue (carved in 1630) would traditionally be transferred to the yama on the 'day of the ox' (勧請の日が丑の日). These animals were deeply connected to the cult of Tenjin (Sugawara-no-Michizane).
#祇園祭

8) KURONUSHI-YAMA (黒主山)🌸

Kuronushi-yama depicts the Noh play 'Shiga' (志賀) by Zeami (世阿弥元清 1363-1443).
The ghost of Ōtomo-no-Kuronushi (大友黒主), 1 of the '6 Poet Immortals' (六歌仙 'Rokkasen'), is shown admiring cherry blossoms in the Shiga countryside.
#GionMatsuri

Prior to the Ōnin War it is said the float was named after the cherry-blossom loving poet Saigyō (西行法師 1118-90), but when it reappeared its name had for some reason been changed.
The current image of Ōtomo dates to 1789. It is the only lacquered float in the parade.
#祇園祭

9) HASHIBENKEI-YAMA (橋弁慶山)🌉

Hashibenkei-yama is based on the Noh play 'Hashibenkei' (橋弁慶). It depicts the famous battle between child-warrior Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸 1159-89/aka Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune) & Saitō Musashibō Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶 1155-89) on Gojō Bridge (五条大橋).

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
kyoto-tabiya.com
(Minamikannon-yama)
gionmatsuri.sblo.jp,
@kyotokk,
watashinouta.at.webry.info/201007/article…
(Abura Tenjin-yama)
kyotomoyou.jp,
blog.goo.ne.jp/teinengoseikat…
(Kuronushi-yama)
https://t.co/Niihj4cmnm,
kyoto-wel.com/item/IS81010N0…
(Hashibenkei-yama)

The float (24th of 34) now opens the Ato Matsuri (後祭り) on July 24th.
The dolls of Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸) and Benkei have inscriptions that date them to 1537 and 1563, but it is thought the originals were made by the great Kamakura period sculptor Kōun (康運).
#Japan #Kyoto

10) NIWATORI-BOKO (鶏鉾)🐓

Niwatori-boko, the 'Hen Float', tells the tale of China's Emperor Yao (尧 2356-2255BC), whose reign was so well-governed that the drums (struck when complaints were lodged) grew moss and became the home of hens.
#Kyoto #Japan #京都 #祇園祭 #GionMatsuri

The float symbolises the wish for peace.

Its emblem is a hen (circle) inside a drum (triangle). The precious 16thC Belgium tapestry was brought back to Japan from Spain by Hasekura Tsunenaga (支倉常長 d.1622) for Date Masamune (伊達政宗), and was purchased by the float in 1815.

11) YAMABUSHI-YAMA (山伏山)😇

Yamabushi-yama is named after the mountain ascetic Jōzō Kisho (浄蔵貴所 891-964). In 952 he saved Hōkan-ji's leaning pagoda (八坂塔 'Yasaka-no-tō') by summoning a mysterious breeze through prayer.

Another mysterious tale⬇️

Shortly before the parade, priests from Yasaka-jinja (八坂神社), the chief abbot of Rokkaku-dō (六角堂) & other practicing Yamabushi (山伏) all offer prayers at the float.

The Yamabushi will also pay their respects at the same time to the En-no-Gyōja-yama (役行者山).
#祇園祭

12) EN-NO-GYŌJA-YAMA (役行者山)🐚

En-no-Gyōja-yama is named after the founder of Shugendō (修験道), En-no-Gyōja (役行者 634-700).
Dating to before the Ōnin War (応仁の乱-1467), the float also depicts the deities Hitokotonushi (一言主) and Katsuragi (葛城神).
#Kyoto #Japan #京都

It is said En-no-Gyōja tried to convince Hitokotonushi to build a bridge from Mt Katsuragi to Mt Yoshino (it didn't go well).
On 16th July Shugen-ja devotees from Shōgo-in (聖護院-head temple of Honzan Shugen 本山修験宗) perform a sacred Goma-daki rite (護摩焚き) to dispel evil.

13) HAKUGA-YAMA (伯牙山)🎶

Hakuga-yama is also known as 'Kotowari-yama' (琴破山), the 'Koto Breaking Float'. It tells the tale of Hakuga, a koto player who befriends a woodcutter called Shōshiki (鐘子期) whilst out practicing in the forest.
#Japan #Kyoto #祇園祭

They agree to meet again a year later.
When Hakuga arrives he is devastated to find Shōshiki has died. He breaks his koto, knowing no-one else will appreciate his music as much as his friend did.

The float is uniquely Chinese in style & depicts Hakuga with a hatchet and koto.

14) TAISHI-YAMA (太子山)🪷

Taishi-yama is dedicated to Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子 572-622/Shōtoku Taishi), the great propagator of Buddhism.
This float alone uses a cedar (not the usual pine) as a conduit for the gods.
#GionFestival #祇園祭 #Kyoto #京都 #Japan

The cedar is a reference to the young prince searching in the mountains (of what is now Kyōto) for suitable wood with which to construct Shitennō-ji (四天王寺 - Ōsaka), a prayer for the recovery of his father Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇 518–87).
The float doll has an ax in hand.

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
kyotomoyou.jp,
aucview.com,
kyoto-wel.com
(Niwatori-boko/Hakuga-yama)
livedoor.blogimg.jp/masadamari/img…,
@kyototravelinfo,
pecopeconecco.hatenablog.jp
(Yamabushi-yama)
uryu-tsushin.kyoto-art.ac.jp/detail/232
(Ennogyoja-yama)
d-gleeclub-ob.jp
(Taishi-yama)

15) HŌKA-BOKO (放下鉾)🥁

Gion Matsuri's Hōka-boko takes its name from a form of street entertainment popular in the 15thC.
Groups of traveling monks (an image of a priest adorns the pole) would spread their faith by entertaining local communities.
#京都 #Kyoto #Japan #祇園祭

As the float's top ornament looks like a sandbar it's nicknamed 'Suhama-hoko' (洲浜鉾), the 'Sandbar Float'.
At the tip of the hoko is a sun, moon and stars, symbolically lighting the world below.
In 1929 a doll, 'Sankō-maru' (三光丸 'Boy of the 3 Lights'), replaced a real chigo.

16) JŌMYŌ-YAMA (浄妙山)🏹

Jōmyō-yama recreates the 'Hashi-kassen' (橋合戦) chapter of 'The Tale of the Heike' (平家物語).
During the first 'Battle of Uji' in 1180 (宇治の戦い) the Genji soldier Ichirai Hōshi (一来法師) has to pass his comrade Tsutsui Jōmyō (筒井浄妙).
#祇園祭

In order to cross the devastated Uji Bridge, Ichirai Hōshi politely apologises to the Mii-dera (三井寺) monk before nimbly leaping over his head!
Jōmyō-yama translates as 'pardon-my-bad-manners float'.
The 2 dolls are held in dramatic pose by special wooden pins.
#Kyoto #京都

17) HAKURAKUTEN-YAMA (白楽天山)🖋️

Hakurakuten-yama depicts Chinese poet Bai Juyi (白居易 772–846) conversing with Zen Master Dōrin (道林禅師 741-824).
The float's name is taken from the late 14thC play 'Haku Rakuten' (白楽天). Bai Juyi's Japanese name is 'Haku Kyoi'.
#Kyoto

In the play Bai Juyi is bested in a poetry contest by the god Sumiyoshi (住吉明神), disguised as a fisherman.
Its most famous treasure is a 16thC Gobelin tapestry detailing the Fall of Troy (トロイ城陥落). This piece was purchased from the Tōrō-yama (蟷螂山) in 1860.
#Kyoto #京都

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
kyotomoyou.jp,
openmatome.net/matome/view.ph…
(Hoka-boko)
openmatome.net/matome/view.ph…,
dh-jac.net,
lib.ehime-u.ac.jp
(Jomyo-yama)
wakasa15thfd.wordpress.com,
ja.ukiyo-e.org,
hakurakutenyama.jp
(Hakurakuten-yama)

18) ARARE TENJIN-YAMA (霰天神山)🔥

Arare Tenjin-yama, the 'Divine Hail Float', is also known as Hiyoke Tenjin-yama (火除天神山), the 'Protection Against Fire Float'.
It celebrates the life-saving hail & rain that extinguished a terrible fire (probably some time between 1504-21).

A 3.6cm image of the god Tenjin was found to have fallen at the same time as the rain (proof of divine help) and was enshrined.
The float is also called Nishiki Tenjin-yama (錦天神山) after the area in which the event was said to have occurred. The current float dates to 1714.

19) ASHIKARI-YAMA (芦刈山)🌾

Ashikari-yama is based on Zeami's (世阿弥元清 1363-1443) Noh play 'The Reed Cutter' (芦刈).
The work concerns a Naniwa reed-cutter, reunited briefly with the wife poverty forced him to abandon. She is now remarried and wealthy.
#GionMatsuri #祇園祭

Float treasures include a doll (now retired) sculpted by Kōun (康運) in 1537, and textiles made from a haori jacket (羽織) worn by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉).
The original doll's clothes (1589) are preserved and are the oldest in the entire festival.
#Japan #Kyoto #祇園祭

20) TSUKI-BOKO (月鉾)🌙

Tsuki-boko, the 'Moon Float', takes its name from the enshrined moon deity Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (月読尊), brother of Amaterasu (天照大神) & Susanoo (須佐之男).
At the tip of the 25m pole that stretches from the float's roof is a crescent moon.
#Japan #京都

The float survived the great fire of 1864 and is called a 'Moving Museum'.
It boasts carvings by Hidari Jingorō (左甚五郎 early 17thC?) and paintings created in 1835 by famed artist Maruyama Ōkyo (円山応挙 1733-95), depicting scenes from 'The Tale of Genji' framed in open fans.

21) SUZUKA-YAMA (鈴鹿山)👹

Suzuka-yama is dedicated to Suzuka-gongen (鈴鹿権現), a Shinto-Buddhist deity that quelled a demon harassing travelers near Suzuka (鈴鹿) on the Tōkaidō (東海道), the 'East Sea Road' that ran from Edo to Kyōto.
#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #GionMatsuri #祇園祭

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
wakasa15thfd.wordpress.com,
lib.ehime-u.ac.jp,
hakubutu.wakayama-c.ed.jp,
kyotomoyou.jp
(Arare Tenjin-yama/Ashikari-yama)
wakasa15thfd.files.wordpress.com,
tsukihoko.thebase.in/about
(Tsuki-boko)
https://t.co/AElz6pRuhT,
zero-position.com
(Suzuka-yama)

Known also as 'Seoritsu-hime' (瀬織津姫命), the goddess is depicted wearing a mask and golden eboshi (烏帽子 - a lacquered hat). She carries a halberd (長刀) to dispel evil.
At the end of the parade the highly-desired votive tablets (said to prevent theft) are sold to the public.

22) SHIJŌ KASA-BOKO (四条傘鉾)⛱️

Shijō-Kasa-boko is one of the festival's earliest style of floats, mimicking the giant parasols used to entertain the god Gozu Tennō (牛頭天王) as he was paraded in 876 from his temporary home in Nagi-no-mori (梛の林) to Gion-sha (祇園社).
#Japan

Restored in 1985, in 1987 the float returned after an absence of 117 years.
8 pairs of children accompany the float with a Muromachi folk-dance called Fūryū Odori (風流踊-similar to Shiga's Kenketo Odori ケンケト踊り).
Many musicians surround the float in a colourful display.

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
bunpaku.or.jp,
4travel.jp/travelogue/109…,
kyotomoyou.jp
(Shijō-Kasa-boko)
hachimansan.com,
arc.ritsumei.ac.jp
(Hachiman-yama)
kyototrip.net,
https://t.co/ME9Afp0KXv
(Hosho-yama)
lib.ehime-u.ac.jp
(Toro-yama)

23) HACHIMAN-YAMA (八幡山)🕊️

For a few days during Yoiyama and Ato-no-Matsuri (宵山/後祭り), Hachiman, the god of archery & war, leaves Gojō-zaka's Wakamiya Hachiman-gū (五条坂/若宮八幡宮) to take up temporary residence in Hachiman-yama's gilded shrine (created between 1781-88).

2 pigeons, perhaps sculpted by Hidari Jingorō (左甚五郎), sit atop the float gate. The god's bird messengers represent marital harmony.

The float is thought to have existed at least before the Ōnin War (1467-77). Unusually, talismans are sold to stop children crying at night.

24) HŌSHŌ-YAMA (保昌山)❤️

Hōshō-yama depicts the love story of famed poetess Izumi-no-Shikibu (和泉式部 976-?) and Fujiwara-no-Yasumasa (藤原保昌/丹後守平井保昌 958-1036).
The float was previously known as 'Hananusubito-yama' (花盗人山), 'Float of the Blossom Thief'.
#Japan

Risking everything, Yasumasa steals into the heart of the palace (紫宸殿) to retrieve a branch of the sacred plum-blossom for the woman he loves.
The doll's head was carved in 1500, the body (dressed in armour, holding a sword) dates to 1789.
The float sells unique 'love knots’.

25) TŌRŌ-YAMA (蟷螂山)🦗

The festival's Tōrō-yama is named after the large praying mantis that sits atop the float roof.
A Chinese merchant called Chin-uirō Tainen Sōki (陳外郎大年宗奇) debuted the float in 1376 as memorial to the local warrior Shijō Takasuke (四条隆資 d.1352).

Shijō was inspired by a famous saying in China that despite its size, a praying mantis will raise its arms (hatchets) high in the air against an army.
Shijō was loyal to the Southern Court (南朝), but was defeated in battle by Ashikaga Yoshiakira (足利義詮 1330-67).
#Kyoto #Japan

26) KANKO-BOKO (函谷鉾)🐔

Kanko-boko, the 'Hangu Pass Float', tells the story of Mōshō-kun (孟嘗君 / Mengchang d.279), a lord during China's Warring States Period (403-221BC).
He was mocked by one and all for employing men with seemingly useless talents.
#Kyoto #祇園祭 #Japan

At Hangu Pass in 299 one of Mōshōkun's men mimicked a rooster, convincing the enemy guards it was morning & thus time to open the gates.
A 'useless talent' had saved the day!
Destroyed in the 1788 Tenmei Fire, the float was rebuilt in 1839.

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-kyotomoyou.jp

At the rear of the float hangs a tapestry reproducing a text written by Kūkai (弘法大師 774–835), in his handwriting.
An image of Mōshōkun, a rooster, and a hen hang on the float pole. Mōshōkun's tale is further referenced in the paintings, carvings and hangings.
#GionMatsuri

27) TOKUSA-YAMA (木賊山)👨‍👦

Tokusa-yama (shown in the 1st photo adorned in lanterns for yoiyama 宵山) sells talismans said to help find lost children.
It seems a strange sort of charm until you understand the float is based on the Zeami (世阿弥元清) play 'Scouring Rush' (木賊).

In the play an old rush-cutter from Shinano is fatefully reunited with his long-lost son, who is traveling with the monk who found him (kidnappers sold the boy and he was later taken in by a temple).
The float's doll is the old man holding a sickle and rushes in his hands.
#京都

28) AYAGASA-BOKO (綾傘鉾)☂️

The Ayagasa-boko consists of two large parasols. It is thought they reflect the earliest type of float seen in the festival, first used to entertain the gods. Absent for a long time, in 1979 the float was restored.
#Kyoto #Japan #GionMatsuri #祇園祭

The float features the textiles 'Flying Angels' (飛天の図), based on a mural at Hōkai-ji (法界寺), and 'Flowers of the 4 Seasons' (四季の花) by the former Living National Treasure Moriguchi Kakō (森口華弘).

To this day the float continues to offer protection from disease.
#京都

29) URADE-YAMA (占出山)🎣

Urade-yama depicts Empress Jingū (神功皇后) fishing for sweetfish (鮎) in Hizen Province (肥前国) to divine whether an invasion of the Korean mainland would be successful.
The float is thus also known as Ayu Tsuri-yama (鮎釣山 'Ayu Fishing Float').

Jingū is considered god of safe child-birth, and should the float appear near the start of the parade then children born that year will be delivered easily.
Expectant mothers can purchase lucky 'maternity obi' (腹帯).

The float textiles depict the 3 most scenic spots in Japan.

30) FUNE-BOKO (船鉾)⛵️

The festival's Fune-boko, 'Boat Float', is a re-imagining of the warship Empress Jingū (神功皇后 169-269) sailed in to do battle with Silla (新羅) on the Korean mainland.
The Ōfune-boko (大船鉾) depicts the ship she returned in, victorious.
#GionMatsuri

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
kyotomoyou.jp,
kankoboko.jp
(Kanko-boko)
https://t.co/AElz6pRuhT,
kyoto-wel.com
(Tokusa-yama)
ayakasahoko.or.jp
(Ayagasa-boko)
lib.ehime-u.ac.jp,
kyoto-tabiya.com,
kyototrip.net
(Urade-yama)

The doll of Empress Jingū wears armor and a 560 year old divine mask.
The mask is treasured as a charm for securing the easy delivery of children, and when the Emperor Meiji (明治大帝 1867-1912) was about to be born the mask was carried to the palace to guarantee his safe birth.

31) ŌFUNE-BOKO (大船鉾)🚢

The Ōfune-boko, 'Great Boat Float', depicts Empress Jingū (神功皇后) returning from war on the Korean peninsula. Only a few of the float's treasures survived fire in 1864, but it was finally rebuilt in 2014 thanks to a dedicated fund-raising campaign.

Empress Jingū is joined by 3 gods, all who helped her cross the sea safely: Ryūjin (龍神 - dragon god of the sea), Kashima Daimyōjin (鹿島大明神 - a god of war & safe maritime travel) and Sumiyoshi Daimyōjin (住吉大明神 - deity of seafaring travel).
#GionMatsuri #祇園祭 #大船鉾

32) IWATO-YAMA (岩戸山)🪨

Iwato-yama, the 'Rock Door Float, celebrates 'Kuniumi' (国産み), the creation of Japan. It also tells the story of the sun goddess Amaterasu-Ōmikami (天照大御神) hiding away in the Heavenly Cave (天の岩戸 'Ama-no-Iwato'), plunging the world into dark.

Izanagi (伊弉諾尊), the 'Father of Japan', sits atop the roof, while the gods Amaterasu and Ame-no-Tajikarao (手力男命 - the god that forced open the door of the heavenly cave) sit within.
Although called a yama, from about 1570 the float grew into the shape of the larger hoko.

33) MŌSŌ-YAMA (孟宗山)🎋

Mōsō-yama, known also as 'Takenoko-yama' (笋山 'Bamboo Shoots Float'), depicts a story from China's 'The 24 Filial Exemplars' (二十四孝).
To save his ailing mother, Mōsō (孟宗) is instructed to make a soup from bamboo shoots.
#Kyoto #京都 #GionMatsuri

As it was winter Mōsō could find no bamboo shoots & cried in desperation.
Where his tears fell shoots suddenly sprouted!
The rear tapestry of bamboo bowing in the breeze was created by Takeuchi Seihō (竹内栖鳳) in 1940. It is the only black & white piece of work in the festival.

34) TAKA-YAMA (鷹山)🪶

In 2022 Taka-yama, the 'Falconry Float', will rejoin the parade. The original was damaged by a storm in 1826 & everything but the 3 'deities' burnt in 1864.
Using historical records the decorations have been recreated, with other floats donating parts.

The 3 dolls depict a falconer (hawk on his left hand), a dog-handler (with dog on a leash), and a dumpling-munching servant carrying a saké barrel on his back. Within the float is a green cloth that represents a pine-covered mountain on which the figures are hunting.
#Kyoto

35) HOTEI-YAMA (布袋山)🎅

Hotei-yama is the last of the 3 'Yasumi-yama' (休み山 'Resting Floats')/'Yake-yama' (焼山 'Burnt Floats') to be revived. These floats were destroyed, but a handful of their treasures survived.
Ōfune-boko returned in 2014 & Taka-yama will debut in 2022.

Photo thanks🙇‍♂️-
arc.ritsumei.ac.jp,
kyotomoyou.jp
(Fune-boko)
kyo-chikiriya.com
(Moso-yama)
sankei.com/article/202206…,
kyoto-np.co.jp,
blog.goo.ne.jp/shugakuinvilla…
(Taka-yama)
kyoto-tabiya.com,
ameblo.jp/tweet-tweeties/
(Hotei-yama)

As the name suggests, this float enshrined Hotei (布袋尊), the 'god of abundance and good health'. The statue (said to help with childbirth) survived, but the rest of the float was destroyed in the Great Tenmei Fire of 1788. Since 2004 its treasures have been displayed each year.

🔥THE FATE OF THE FLOATS😱
In the early 15thC it is recorded that 66 local neighbourhoods called 'machigumi' (町組) stored and cared for the floats.
The number 66 symbolically represented the 66 provinces of Japan when the Gion Matsuri first began...1 float for each province.

While it is likely that the Muromachi period saw the largest number of floats paraded, there has never been a set number.
Fire constantly devastated the city and the floats were regularly turned to ash. As merchant wealth blossomed and faded, so too did the number of floats.

Citywide fires in 1708, 1788 and 1864 led to some floats disappearing forever. Fortunately for most, treasures could quickly be whisked to safety during such emergencies. Unlike the priceless decorations, the float frames themselves were relatively easy to rebuild🙌
#GionMatsuri

This was an overly long thread, so thank you for sticking around🙇‍♂️

I'm going to shake off some of that summer brain-fog with an iced matcha from our friends at Chikiri-ya🫶

For those of you in Kyōto, enjoy the festival🎉

#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #祇園祭 #GionMatsuri #festival