Gion Festival Plate

tableware

One of Japanese most famous festivals is the Kyoto Gion Matsuri, one of three greatest festivals in Japan.
The Gion Matsuri is an event of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto city, which is held for a month from July 1st to 31st.
It originated in 869 when an epidemic was rampant in Kyoto and killed many people. People started this festival to ask for god’s protection.
The highlights are the Yamahoko parade and the Mikoshi (portable shrine) procession on the 17th and 24th.
It is also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Among the many Yamaboko floats, I created plates of set of six designs inspired by the origins, meanings of the hoko-gashira (spearhead), and unique characteristics of the ones: Naginata Hoko, Kanko Hoko, Niwatori Hoko, Tsuki Hoko, Kikusui Hoko, and Hoka Hoko.

Naginata Hoko
Named for the large naginata (long sword) attached to its hoko-gashira (spearhead), which is believed to ward off evil and disease.
It is one of the oldest floats in the festival and always leads the procession as a kujitorazu (a float exempt from the lottery).
It is also the only float that carries a sacred child (chigo) accompanied by two attendants.

Kanko Hoko
This kuji-torazu float is always the fifth to proceed.
It is named after a Chinese legend in which Lord Mengchang of Qi escaped through Hangu Pass by having his servant imitate a rooster’s crow.
The hoko-gashira (spearhead)design—a crescent moon and mountain shape—represents the darkness of the mountain pass at night.

Niwatori Hoko
According to an old Chinese historical tale, during the reign of Emperor Yao, the world was so well governed that even the kanko (drum) set up for grievances (known as the “remonstrance drum”) was never used.
It became covered in moss, and chickens even built their nests on it.
It is said the hoko-gashira (spearhead)features a triangle enclosing a circle, represented a chicken egg in the kanko (drum).

Tsuki hoko
Named after the crescent moon adorning its hoko-gashira (spearhead).
Among all the floats, it is the tallest and heaviest.

Kikusui Hoko
This float takes its name from the “Kikusui Well” located at the local Kongō Noh Theater.
The hoko-gashira (spearhead) features a golden sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum.

Hoka Hoko
Another kuji-torazu float, which goes twenty-first in the procession.
It is dedicated to hōka monks—wandering preachers who performed street arts while spreading Buddhist teachings.
The hoko-gashira (spearhead) depicts the sun, moon, and stars illuminating the world below.

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