Houka-hoko (放下鉾) During the Yamaboko Junko (山鉾巡行) in Kyoto, 2012! This float derives its name from the small image of a Hoka-so priest near the middle of its center pole. Hoka-so appeared in the mid-Muromachi period (15th century) and are groups of Buddhist monks who traveled from place to place in rural Japan entertaining local people by performing a variety of stunts for the purpose of disseminating their faith (Photo: Hugo Kempeneer)

Gion Matsuri in Photos: Part 1

Yama Hoko Grand Parade in Kyoto

Hugo Kempeneer Jul 11, 2014 - 1分钟阅读时间

It’s July in Japan and for the city of Kyoto, that means the Gion Matsuri. This year (2014) the event is split in two, the Saki Matsuri (July 17th: Yama Hoko Grand Parade) and the Ato Matsuri (July 24th: Yama Hoko Grand Parade & Hanagasa Flower Hat Procession).

The following floats are shown in this photo story:

Abura Tenjin Yama,
Arare Tenjinyama,
Ashikari-yama,
Ayagasa-hoko,
En-no-gyoja-yama,
Fune-hoko,
Hachiman-yama,
Hakurakuten-yama,
Hashi-Benkei-Yama,
Houka-hoko and
Houshou-yama.

Hugo Kempeneer @hugo.kempeneer

I was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and enjoyed my teenage years during the peak of the "Flower Power Hippie" generation. I hitchhiked through Europe, living on a beach south of Agadir, Morocco for some time to learn English. Aside from Japan, I have lived in Indonesia, the Philippines, South Kore...