Gion Matsuri is a Japanese holiday that dates back to the year 869 AD -yes, 1151 years ago-, as a religious ceremony to appease the gods of a pandemic outbreak that occurred that year. In his eagerness to stop the crisis, the emperor chose a local boy as a divine messenger figure, who built 66 halberds at Yasaka Shrine representing the country’s 66 provinces and began praying to end the plague. .
In addition, floats were built that paraded through the city to ask the gods for mercy. Curiously, the plague disappeared, establishing the Gion Matsuri ceremony since then.
Currently, a local boy is still chosen as the messenger of the gods, who cannot set foot on the ground from July 13 to 17 when he finally parades in his float through Kyoto. Ironically, said boy will not be able to carry out his mission and protect us from pandemics in 2020, as Gion Matsuri has been canceled this year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Gate of the Yasaka Shrine.
Every July a multitude of events take place. Preceding the days of the procession, from July 14 to 16, the street parties known as “Yoiyama” take place, when the floats are illuminated and shown to the public, creating a very special atmosphere. Families decorate the floats with relics and amulets of emotional value such as kimonos or armor.
The amulets can be included in two groups: gobu, which are specific to the thematic deity of the float; and chimaki, which are placed at the entrances of the houses to protect them from the evils that lurk.
On July 17, the spectacular float procession known as “Yamaboko Junko” is celebrated. The word Yamaboko refers to the two types of floats used: yama and boko. A total of 23 yama and 10 boko are carefully designed and decorated representing unique themes.
The yama floats are somewhat smaller, but the boko are impressive, reaching 25 meters in height, 12 tons and wheels as big as people. Teams of dozens of men pull the floats to complete the tour of the city, which is closed to traffic on specific days.
During these days it will be easy to find delicious local specialties such as yakitori (chicken and vegetable skewer with soy sauce and sugar), fish-shaped taiyaki cookies (filled with a red bean paste with sugar), okonomiyaki pancakes (with sweet potato, broth dashi, eggs and cabbage) or mochis (rice cakes filled with green tea, fruit, ice cream,…), among others.
To all this we must add that both young and old are dressed in yukata and that the traditional music “Gion-bayashi” is heard in every corner, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.
What plans do you have for July 2021?
“To create you must be aware of the traditions, but to maintain the traditions you must create something new”