Behind the Scenes of the Gion Matsuri: Kyoto’s Most Famous Festival
The Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s representative summer festival, was introduced on this blog. But who prepares for the Gion Matsuri, how is it done, and how long does it take? Additionally, how much does this luxurious festival cost? In this post, we will delve deeper into the Gion Matsuri and introduce the lesser-known behind-the-scenes aspects of the festival.
Preparing the Yamahoko
Preparing the Yamahoko (Float) The Gion Matsuri begins on July 1st and ends on July 31st each year, but preparations for the next year start as soon as the festival ends. After the festival, locals start the dismantling, repair, and storage of the yamahoko. Inspections and repairs are also done for the next festival, and preparations begin for the following year.
The yamahoko, which is a symbol of the Gion Matsuri, includes floats with different designs for each town within Kyoto, such as the “Torihoko” (chicken float) and the “Naginatahoko” (halberd float), and new decorations are applied each year. These decorations are made using traditional Japanese crafts such as gold thread, silk, and lacquer, and preparing them takes a significant amount of time.
Yamahoko Size:
- Height: About 10 to 25 meters
- Width: About 3 to 5 meters
- Weight: About 2 to 5 tons
Traditional Crafts Used in Yamahoko Construction and Repair Several traditional Kyoto crafts are used in the creation and repair of the yamahoko, with artisans who have hundreds of years of history working on the production and restoration.
Silk Weaving
Kyoto, where the Gion Matsuri takes place, is famous for Nishijin-ori, a traditional silk weaving. Nishijin-ori is a type of pre-dyed patterned textile, and the process of weaving it involves many steps such as design, dyeing the threads, warping, weaving, and processing with gold and silver threads. Skilled craftsmen carefully carry out each of these steps.
Lacquer
Lacquer is frequently used for the decorations and carvings on the yamahoko. Kyoto has traditional lacquer workshops that have been operating since the 16th and 17th centuries, and artisans pass on their lacquer techniques.
Wooden Decorations and Carvings
Wooden decorations are intricate carvings used on the roofs and structures of the yamahoko. These carvings depict animals, plants, or mythical motifs and take months to carve. Highly skilled woodworkers use precise techniques to create the fine details of these works by hand.
Gold Leaf
Gold leaf is used to enhance the splendor of the yamahoko. Gold leaf craftsmen must skillfully stretch the gold into thin sheets and apply it precisely to the decorations.
Collaboration Among Artisans
These craftsmen work together, not individually. For example, a woodworker creates the carved parts, a lacquer artisan applies layers of lacquer, a gold leaf artisan applies the gold, and a silk weaver decorates the fabric. Each artisan displays their specialized skills to ultimately complete one yamahoko.
The craftsmen responsible for the decoration of the yamahoko are commissioned by the town associations (or “machishu”) that own each yamahoko. Each town within Kyoto has its own tradition of sending out yamahoko for the festival, and the town associations manage the production, decoration, and maintenance of the yamahoko. Many of these associations, such as the “Yamahoko Preservation Society” and “Yamahoko Association,” oversee the general activities related to the festival.
Kyoto is known as a city where traditional crafts are preserved, and every year, skilled and young artisans work on the production and repairs of the yamahoko. This plays a significant role in passing down Japan’s valuable traditional crafts.
Costs of the Gion Matsuri
The Gion Matsuri is a large-scale and luxurious festival. The total cost of the festival is estimated to be between 100 million and 300 million yen. For example, the cost to create a single yamahoko is in the tens of millions of yen. Other costs include the setup of stalls and tents, security, various labor costs during the festival period, and more. These expenses are covered through donations, offerings, subsidies from Kyoto city and prefecture, sponsorship, cooperation funds, and profits from food stalls. Of course, money spent by tourists and visitors is also an important source of income. To support this precious Kyoto festival, those who visit during the festival period are encouraged to use local hotels, inns, restaurants, food establishments, and souvenir shops.
People Who Support the Gion Matsuri
The Gion Matsuri is mainly managed by each neighborhood in Kyoto city. In addition to the craftsmen who make the yamahoko, many other people are involved. The main contributors to supporting the festival are the local residents, merchants, and volunteers from each district.
Residents of the Towns
The Gion Matsuri is built upon the cooperation of the residents of each neighborhood. Residents of the towns involved in the festival share various tasks such as constructing and decorating the yamahoko, managing the parade, and ensuring safety during the festival. Each neighborhood takes care of a specific “yamahoko” or “mikoshi” (portable shrine), and they also handle preparations and clean-up after the event.
Katsugite (Float Carriers)
The float carriers, or “katsugite,” play a critical role in the festival. These individuals begin practicing months before the festival to build the necessary skills and physical strength for carrying or pulling the yamahoko. Most katsugite are local residents who belong to the town associations or preservation societies that manage the yamahoko. Many of these residents come from families who have been involved in carrying the floats for generations, and longstanding relationships within the communities are often built through this tradition.
Volunteers
Volunteers also make significant contributions to the festival’s operation. Volunteers help with activities like cleaning, guiding the spectators, and traffic management, supporting the smooth operation of the festival. They are also responsible for cleaning up after the festival.
Stall Vendors
There are numerous food stalls and shops that provide food and souvenirs to the visitors of the Gion Matsuri. These stalls are mainly run by local shop owners and restaurant owners, adding to the liveliness of the festival. Preparing and running the stalls is also an important part of the festival.
