The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Kyoto
  • News
  • First Float Procession, One Highlight of Kyoto's Gion Festival, Takes Place
    Two-Year Hiatus due to COVID-19 Pandemic

    5 August 2022 - Kyoto//Sightseeing/Events//Tradition/Culture
    The Gion Festival's first float procession departing with the Naginata Hoko float in the lead (July 17, 9:01 a.m., Shijo-Karasuma, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    The Gion Festival's first float procession departing with the Naginata Hoko float in the lead (July 17, 9:01 a.m., Shijo-Karasuma, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    The Naginata Hoko float makes a spectacular 90-degree turn at the signal shout (July 17, 9:52 a.m., Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    The Naginata Hoko float makes a spectacular 90-degree turn at the signal shout (July 17, 9:52 a.m., Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    The "Saki Matsuri," or first float procession, of the Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals, began in the center of Kyoto City on July 17 after a two-year hiatus. The procession was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The giant wheels of the float creaked into motion to the signal shout of "Enyaraya" and sounds of festival music playing, as the Naginata Hoko float, leading the lineup of 23 floats, set off from Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru in Shimogyo Ward, at 9:00 a.m.

    At Shijo-dori Fuyacho, the sacred child on the Naginata Hoko float performed the ritual of cutting the sacred rope. After a solemn gesture of moving his sword from side to side, 11-year-old Zenta Okamoto powerfully swung it down and successfully slashed the sacred rope that marked the boundary of the holy area. Spectators on the sidewalk applauded wildly.

    (Translated by Mie Hiuzon, Psyche et l’Amour, Inc.)
  • Also in Kyoto//Sightseeing/Events//Tradition/Culture:

    Biography of Jakucho Setouchi Written by Her Former Secretary
    Jakucho's Heart Revealed to People Close to Her
    13 March 2023

    Why New 500-yen Coins Cannot Be Used in Vending Machines
    Nor for Some Buses or Parking Lots
    13 March 2023

    Fermentation under way for new sake at Kyoto Pref. brewery
    14 February 2023

    Kyoto Sanga Ensures J1 Survival
    18,000 Spectators at 1-1 Playoff Final against Kumamoto
    6 December 2022

    Men in Their Prime Should Be Cautious about Binge Eating Disorder
    Doctor Warns Depression May Develop Due to Weight Gain
    6 December 2022

News Archive
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2023 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy