In summer it's very hot and humid in Japan, and Kyoto is known for its
scorching hot days. People there, however, are much more enthusiastic for their
summer festival called "Gion Festival".
The secular climax is marked on the 17th of July, when more than 30 floats in procession march along the streets in the center of the old capital.
The highlight of the march is seen at the intersection of streets where people turn the floats by the traditional way of using manpower.
(Some of floats weigh more than 10 ton.)
In the evening of the 16th, the day before the float procession,
you can walk along the streets with many lanterns hanging, and find old houses showing their treasures such as folding screens, hanging scrolls, and potery for tea ceremony. In addition you can take a close look at the floats which are decorated with gorgeous traditional tapestries, and have a chance to get on some of them with small donation.
You would hear the sounds of traditional instruments such as flute and bell played by young people in the floats.
Gion Festival, requested by the emperor, started to ward off epidemics in the capital in the late 9th century, and hasn't discontinued since then.
Even during civil wars in the feudal ages (the 14th - 16th centuries), common people kept performing the festival by contributing their energy and funds to rebuid floats in the opulent manner of previous ages although the wooden vehicles were frequently burnt out by wars.
You would find marchants' enthusiasm and respect to Japanese tradition.
The secular climax is marked on the 17th of July, when more than 30 floats in procession march along the streets in the center of the old capital.
The highlight of the march is seen at the intersection of streets where people turn the floats by the traditional way of using manpower.
(Some of floats weigh more than 10 ton.)
In the evening of the 16th, the day before the float procession,
you can walk along the streets with many lanterns hanging, and find old houses showing their treasures such as folding screens, hanging scrolls, and potery for tea ceremony. In addition you can take a close look at the floats which are decorated with gorgeous traditional tapestries, and have a chance to get on some of them with small donation.
You would hear the sounds of traditional instruments such as flute and bell played by young people in the floats.
Gion Festival, requested by the emperor, started to ward off epidemics in the capital in the late 9th century, and hasn't discontinued since then.
Even during civil wars in the feudal ages (the 14th - 16th centuries), common people kept performing the festival by contributing their energy and funds to rebuid floats in the opulent manner of previous ages although the wooden vehicles were frequently burnt out by wars.
You would find marchants' enthusiasm and respect to Japanese tradition.
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