July 17 at 9.00 precisely the main procession of the Gion Matsuri starts, and the 32 yamaboko floats parade through the city centre. If you can sit or stand for three hours in 34 degrees in crowded conditions, you get to see the whole thing live.
If on the other hand you’re a sensitive, white-skinned northern European of Viking descent, like myself, you prefer to watch it live on KBS (Kyoto television). That way you not only get to enjoy airconditioning, but you get an informed commentary, close-ups of all the floats, helicopter shots from above, and instant access to the refrigerator.
Two yama and a hoko parading through downtown Kyoto
One of the hoko chigo, musicians and people who perch perilously on the roof
Close-up of the main chigo (centre), who has two attendants (one of whom is in the foreground)
One of the highlights is when the hoko come to a crossroads for the huge wooden wheels are fixed and can only go straight, meaning that sticks are shoved underneath and the huge float pulled round... quite skilful act which does not always work smoothly.
Some of the hard work that goes into maoeuvering the hoko
Every so often one of the floats stops to perform a dance or ritual
Announcement of the float's participation in the parade is done with due pomp and circumstance. The Japanese ability at ritual aesthetics is here seen at its best.
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For a full list of the order of floats in the parade, please see here.
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