Gion Matsuri, on the hoko

Dreaming, boy portrait

Kyoto 2011

This little boy would like to climb on the top of the hoko during Gion Matsuri main procession. Looks like fun. But this is too high and not stable at all. Look at him !

On the hoko, Gion Matsuri main procession

Kyoto 2011

Children, gion matsuri

Children dance, Gion Matsuri

Kyoto 2011

Tomorrow will be Gion Matsuri main parade, and as every year, it's gonna be awesome. I took this  photo today during a dance performance on Shijo dori.

Hanagasa Junko, boy portrait

 

Boy portrait, Hanagasa junko

Kyoto 2010

There was such a crowd around this boy at Hanagasa Junko (flower hat procession). He was such a stunning character in the parade, but not sure he enjoyed it as much as everyone did.

Hanagasa Junko, Girls with wagasa

Hanagasa Junko, girls with wagasa

Kyoto 2010

Here is another photo series of Hanagasa Junko. No Maiko for this one, but lovely girls carrying wagasa. What a photogenic event!

Memories of 2010, June - Jamaki Festival Children portrait series

 

 Boy getting ready for the parade

 Nara 2010

 
I already posted this children portrait series taken during Jamaki Festival near Nara, but I like it so much. All these children had such beautiful and innocent expression.

Shichigosan 753, second portrait series

 Shichigosan, Kamigamo shrine

 Kyoto 2010

Here is another photo series children celebrating Shichigosan at Kamigamo shrine. They are all so beautiful. 

 3 years old girl, Shichigosan, Kamigamo Shrine

 Kyoto 2010

 

5 years old boy, Shichigosan, Kamigamo Shrine

Kyoto 2010

Shichigosan 753, children celebration

 3 years old girl, shichigosan ceremony　

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010　

Shichi-go-san, literally Seven, five and three is a ceremony held by the parents to celebrate the growth of their children at the age of 3, 5 and 7, the lucky numbers! The ceremony is normally held on Nov 15, but throughout November families go to the shrines for the ceremony wearing kimono. These portraits were shot as Kamigamo Jinja (shrine) in Northern Kyoto which is popular for these family celebrations and busy in November with Shichigosan, weddings etc...

Check Kamigamo shrine website here (English/Japanese)

 7 years old girl, shichigosan ceremony

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

Not sure the children understand the point of Shichigosan but at least they know that after the ceremony and exhausting photo session, they get a nice bag full of sweets and presents like for these 2 girls on the below photo.

3 years old girls, shichigosan ceremony

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

Yes, really exhausting photo session for these two brothers....

3 years old boy and his elder brother

shichigosan ceremony

 Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto 2010

School kids, uniform

School kids, uniforms

Kyoto 2010

These pictures were taken during Jidai Matsuri. Children from various Kyoto schools attended the festival.

 Group walking in front of Kyoto Imperial Palace

 Kyoto 2010

Yellow hats, Imperial palace

Kyoto 2010

Jidai Matsuri 時代祭り, children

Jidai Matsuri, girls #portrait

Kyoto 2010

How sweet! And what a crowd around them to shoot pictures before the parade.
Other post about Jidai Matsuri.

巻蛇き Jamaki Festival 2 - Children portrait series

 Boy carrying the "snake", Jamaki Festival

 Tawaramoto, Nara 2010

This is the event of the year where the whole village has to participate in the preparation or the parade. This is great fun for the children who are always excited and enthusiastic...at least at the beginning. And great fun for me to take these pictures of them and to try to capture their emotion. The colors were great with the blue costumes on the yellow wheat stalks.

Click here to view my other post containing the explanation of this festival.

 Boy portrait 50mm, Jamaki Festival, Nara 2010

Happy but probably exhausted after a day carrying the "snake" around the village.

 Getting ready for the parade, Jamaki Festival
Nara 2010

Only men can carry the "snake" for the parade. This young boy seems proud to be part of it.

 Boy in the parade, Jamaki festival, Nara 2010