It’s the biggest and most authentic of Kyoto’s ‘big three’ festivals. It lasts a month. It recently doubled up its main procession with an extra parade. And given the huge increase in tourist numbers this year, the 2016 Gion Matsuri
Category: Festivals (Page 8 of 26)
My local station (Demachiyanagi in Kyoto) has put up this attractive looking arrangement next to its information rack. What’s that all about your may wonder? Well, thereby hangs a tale of star-crossed lovers…
Seven is a magic number, and double … Read the rest
One of the functions of the shaman in ancient societies was as guardian of the tribe’s identity. This often meant memorising great chunks of mythology and history. Keeping a record of the past not only tells you who you are, … Read the rest
Imagine my surprise when on my usual commute along the river Kamogawa in Kyoto, I happened to see the above scene. How very odd I thought. But then I remembered Green Shinto friend Roger Walch telling me something about his … Read the rest
Today being Easter Sunday, it’s a good occasion to reflect upon the similarities in the European annual round and that of Shinto. Both lie in the northern hemisphere of course, so not surprisingly spring fertility rites take place at similar … Read the rest