Gion Matsuri, Kyoto Ashikari-yama

Residents of the Ashikari-yama area have been engaged in textile weaving and dyeing since ancient times. Umehara Ryuzaburo, a famous painter, was born in this place and his family used to run a major dyehouse. Although the tradition of Gion Matsuri has undergone multiple wars and fires, many important articles have survived with Ashikari-yama, including kosode from 1589 (a type of kimono) and the former head of divine doll (1537). We in the Ashikari-yama community commit ourselves to hand down the valuable items to the future generations, along with the tradition of Gion Matsuri, one of the grandest festivals in this country.

Takemura Tadashi
President,
Association for Ashikari-yama Preservation

Kuji-tori (Procession Order Draw) July 2		The order of floats in the procession is determined by draw at the Assembly House of Kyoto City Hall. The draw starts at 10:00 a.m., and is followed by the official visit to Yasaka Shrine by officials.

Kippu-iri (Initiation Ceremony)		Kippu-iri is an initiation ceremony for divine events. The ceremony is usually held on the morning of July 1, heralding the start of Gion Matsuri period, which lasts over a month. In the Ashikari-yama area, officials gather at the community chairman's place on the evening of July 2, after the order draw, to pray for the safety of the festival and determine on related events, in front of the Divine Doll.

Chimaki-zukuri July 6		The Ashikari-yama community makes chimaki on the Sunday following the order draw. It is believed that one can protect themselves from evils and troubles by hanging the chimaki in front of their house.

Yama-tate (Float Assembly) July 13		Carpenters carry out the parts of Ashikari-yama and a cymbiform wooden frame to protect the float from the Ashikari-yama storehouse, and assemble the float with ropes without using a nail.

Kaisho-kazari (Festival House Decoration) July 13		The Ashikari-yama area does not have a dedicated community hall for the present. The community residents are in charge of festival house decoration in turn.

Yoi-yama (Festival Eve) July 16 (14~16)		The Ashikari-yama area is free of vendor stalls and provides festival guests and tourists with relaxed, tranquil time of Festival Eve.

Junko and Kuji-aratame (Procession and Draw Review) July 17		Floats gather around the corner of Karasuma-dori and Shijo-dori at 9:00 a.m., and the procession begins with the Naginata-boko float at its head. The order of procession is examined at Sakaimachi-dori and Shijo-dori.

Harmony between Husband and WifeThe Ashikari-yama community renewed the design of its chimaki (traditional talisman specially produced for the occasion of Gion Matsuri).

The chimaki is covered with white crepe, and a mimic reed stuck in a paper card is attached to it. The paper card carries the phrase “We are descendants of Somin Shorai (Somin Shorai no Shison Nari),” and is said to drive away evils throughout the year if hung in front of a house together with chimaki.

A good-luck wooden piece is also tied to the chimaki, which is believed to help one’s harmonious life with the spouse, reunion with a lover, or matchmaking, as the Ashikari-yama float is based on a Noh drama focused on harmony between a married couple.

English Edition by: miminga