Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for

Ashikariyama Preservation

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for

Ashikariyama Preservation

The Ashikari-yama float has such a long history that "Gionshaki (Documented History of Gion)" reports that Ashikari-yama already existed in the present location in 1496, among other floats restored after the Onin War (1467-1477). In the Ashikari-yama community, traditional culture, ornaments, clothes, metal fittings and other items have been handed down from our ancestors. We have responsibility to preserve and inherit Ashikari-yama as an important tangible folk cultural property, and the Gion Matsuri festival as an important intangible folk cultural property to later generations.

President
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for Ashikariyama Preservation

Event Schedule

July 2, Kuji-tori (Procession Order Draw)

The order of floats in the procession is determined by draw at the Assembly House of Kyoto City Hall. The draw starts at 10:00 a.m., and is followed by the official visit to Yasaka Shrine by officials.

July 2 Kippu-iri (Initiation Ceremony)

Kippu-iri is an initiation ceremony for divine events. The ceremony is usually held on the morning of July 1, heralding the start of Gion Matsuri period, which lasts over a month. In the Ashikari-yama area, officials gather at the community chairman's place on the evening of July 2, after the order draw, to pray for the safety of the festival and determine on related events, in front of the Divine Doll.

July 10Chimaki-zukuri

Residents of Ashikari-yama make chimaki on the Sunday following the order draw. It is believed that one can protect themselves from evils and troubles by hanging the chimaki in front of their house.

July 13 Yama-tate (Float Assembly)

Carpenters carry out the parts of Ashikari-yama and a cymbiform wooden frame to protect the float from the Ashikari-yama storehouse, and assemble the float with ropes without using a nail.

July 13 Kaisho-kazari (Festival House Decoration)

The Ashikari-yama area does not have a dedicated association hall for the present. The ssociationy residents are in charge of festival house decoration in turn.

July 14 through 16 Yoi-yama (Festival Eve)

The Ashikari-yama area is free of vendor stalls and provides festival guests and tourists with relaxed, tranquil time of Festival Eve.

July 17 Junko and Kuji-aratame (Procession and Draw Review)

Floats gather around the corner of Karasuma-dori and Shijo-dori at 9:00 a.m., and the procession begins with the Naginata-boko float at its head. The order of procession is examined at Sakaimachi-dori and Shijo-dori.

Ashikari-yama goods

On July 14th, 15th and 16th during the Gion Matsuri period, special goods shown below are sold at shops in Ashikari-yama. Don’t miss to get some of these exclusive goods when you visit Ashikari-yama.