Still goes on "Gion Matsuri"Festival

Gion Matsuri is not over yet!
This ancient beautiful festival goes on whole July.
Hoko float has finished at the middle of this month.
That was ofcourse the main event of this festival, though it is not my favorite part of this Festival.
On the 23rd, there will be a Tea ceremony held by Sado Specialist at Yasaka shrine.
In the afternoon, ancient instrument"Biwa" and other music will be played.

On the 24th, Hansagasa paraids are held in the morning and very alive 3 Mikoshis will start to be carry around the Kyoto city .
Personally , this Mikoshi event called "Kankosai" is the highlight of the festival.
In the powerful and vivid air, those 3 mikoshis will arrive to Yasaka shrine.
Sweaty strong guys dedicates their energy into carry the spirits of Yasaka god.
When they all came back to the main shrine and finished the blessing crap, All the sudden, light of the shrine and surrounded lights will be turned off.
In the darkness, in spite of the big number of people there, what you can hear is only a slight sound of Koto, and the sacred voice of the Shinto priest .
He comes from the deepest part of the shrine to bring back the spirit of god from those Mikoshi.
You can not see anything except the white shadow of cloth which covers the spirit.
This is the moment to not see but to feel something by your sense .

The gion festival originated as part of a purification ritual to appease the gods.
Time to time, the festival changed the figure along the declination and glory.

In the flow of time , even if the figure changes, ,I hope , people wouldn't lose the heart of gratitude. And , every year when this time comes, remember the how seasons and nature nourishing our lives.

********Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival Ceremonies ******
July 23rd 9am Tea ceremony
13:30pm music play
July 24th 10am Hanagasa Junko parades
17:00pm to late evening
Kankosai Mikoshi and Mitama Utushi
July 25th 13:00pm Kyogen dances
July 28th 20pm Washing Mikoshi(purifying)
July 29th 16:00pm finishing ceremony (there is nothing so special)
July 31st 10am The huge ring will appear at one of the small shrine in Yasaka .
You can go through inside of this ring and wish a good health and fortune.

Mitarashi Festival at Shimogamo Shrine

On the day of Doyoo-no-Ushi, a full 18 days before the traditional beginning of autumn in August, the shrine hosts Mitarashi, a ritual foot bathing.

Thousands of people flock to the pond in front of Mitarashi shrine, dedicated to the god protecting against plague and misfortune. Devotees believe that if they wash their feet in this pond on this day, they will be blessed by god.

In addition to these prayers, many people also receive mitarashi dango, sticky rice balls covered in sweet sauce, invented on the grounds near the eponymous shrine. The first mitarashi dango shop opened in a stall in the shrine forest, and today, many food vendors line the grounds during this festival.

Date: 23rd to 26th July

Hours: 10:00 to 21:00

Fee: 100 yen for purchasing a candle

Access from Kyoto Hana Hostel: Catch No.205 Kyoto city bus at Kyoto station bus terminal and get off [Shimogamo jinjya mae].

Air out the temple treasures

This opportunity comes only once a year. Shinnyodo Temple will be airing out their temple treasures as mold prevention. About 200 pieces will be displayed.

When: July 25th
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Where: Shinnyodo Temple (真如堂）
Access: From Kyoto station; #5 or #17 bus (takes about 40 min.)
Fee: 500 yen

Do not miss it!

Tanabata Matsuri

Tanabata Matsuri at Jishu shrine in Kiyomizu temple.
PLACE:Jishu shrine
DATE:July 7th
TIME:14:00～

The 7th of July is a Japanese star festival.
In Japan, we write our wishes on the piece of paper, and hung it on a bamboo tree.

Jishu shrine which locates in Kiyomizu temple, is really famous for god of marriage.
So on the 7th of July, you can visit there and they will give you two pieces of Kokeshi(Japanese traditional wooden doll) shaped papers. On the one piece, you write your name, and on the other piece, you write the name of someone in your mind.
Then, you tide up two pieces of papers and hung it on a bamboo tree for winning the heart of him/her.

Here is more details for it.
http://www.kyotojoho.co.jp/english/event/7/index_other.html