Hello Reader.

In 2022, the large wheeled procession of floats of the Gion Festival will finally be held for the first time in three years.

Counted as one of the three major festivals in Japan, The Gion Festival has a history and tradition of more than 1,000 years. The festival is said to have originated in 869, when an epidemic in Kyoto killed a large number of people, and a float was erected to pray for the blessings of the gods.

On July 1, the Kippu Iri ceremony is held to pray for the safety of the festival, and on July 31, the Eki-jinja “Nagoshi purification” is held to pray for good health during the remaining six months. These month-long Shinto rituals are performed in the hot summer in Kyoto.

This festival reaches its climax with The ” Yamaboko Junko,” once on July 17 (Mae-matsuri Yamaboko Junko) and once on July 24 ( Ato-matsuri Yamaboko Junko). The floats decorated in each town are truly a sight to behold. Yamahoko floats decorated in each community are like a moving museum decorated with traditional crafts and arts. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the streets of Kyoto while listening to the flowing music (Ohayashi) of the festival, and the Gion Matsuri is a typical summer event in Kyoto.

　The Kyoto Museum of Crafts & Design is also exhibiting works from the museum’s collection . In addition, souvenirs related to the Gion Festival are also available at the MUSEUM SHOP and ONLINE SHOP(Japanese Only). Looking forward to seeing you at the exhibition. If you can’t come to Kyoto this year, we look forward to seeing you next year.

“ Gion Festival and Traditional Crafts ”  (Japanese Only)

　 〇　Period : July 1 – July 24, 2022

　 〇 Hours : 9:00 – 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)

〇　Admission : Free of Charge

　Written by Yutaka Sato, Kyoto Museum of Crafts & Design.

Images ：Rinko Kishimoto, Kyoto Museum of Crafts & Design.