Hanagasa junko 2014

Satsuki, portrait

Everyone was talking for over a year about seeing Satsuki during Hanagasa Junko. And here she was. And no one was disappointed.

Gion Matsuri 2014 #2

Geiko Koyoshi

I had not seen Koyoshi as Geiko yet. Great to see her on Hanamikoji while waiting for the Mikoshi to be carried from Yasaka shrine.

Gion Matsuri 2014 #1

Satsuki, watching the parade

I enjoy Gion Matsuri every year as much as I did the first time. It's always impressive, a unique atmosphere and a beautiful parade.

But again today, there was a chance to see Satsuki chan attending the parade. So when it comes to taking pictures, I mainly focused on her rather than on the parade...

Last year pictures here
And the same in 2011

Hanagasa Junko 2013 #2

Kanoyumi, portrait

Difficult to select my favorite shot from Hanagasa this year, but I like this beautiful smile from Kanoyumi from Gion Higashi.

Hanagasa Junko 2013 #1

 

Hanagasa dance performed by Geiko from Pontocho

As every year, Hanagasa parade concludes Gion Matsuri festival. This year Maiko and Geiko from Pontocho and Gion Higashi participated to the parade and performed the Hanagasa dance on Yasaka temple stage for a wonderful finish.

Gion Matsuri 2013 #4

Satsuki chan, portrait

She looks stunning. I remember seeing Satsuki when she was still Luna, a minarai early 2011 (see here). She already looked great but I couldn't imagine she would become such a beautiful Maiko. And again, I am so grateful to her, she is so patient and friendly despite of all requests.

An angel

Gion Matsuri 2013 #3

Geiko Kyouka, Gion Matsuri

Geiko Kyouka waiting for the next hoko. This time she didn't take her camera.
Great to see her. Always friendly, accessible and full of energy! As always, I am grateful to her as well as Sayaka and Satsuki for their kindness and wonderful photo series.

Gion Matsuri 2013 #2

 Carrying the Mikoshi, Gion Matsuri

Festival participants carried the (heavy) wooden portable Shrine from Yasaka through Gion and its neighbouring districts. Shop owners (including Ochaya) wait for them to greet them and to distribute some refreshment (mainly beer and sake).

They all looked exhausted but probably felt much better in front the Ochaya Ichiriki (below).

Maiko Chisako

Gion Matsuri 2013 #1

Toshimana, attending Gion Matsuri main parade

So good to be back to Kyoto for a short break after 2 years. And on July 17, there was only I place I wanted to be to see Gion Matsuri main parade : Shinmachi. This is also where I watched the parade 2 years ago (see here)... and the year before, with Maiko & Geiko cheering the participants who were pulling the heavy hoko.

Party in Gion

 Enchanting capture

Kyoto 2011 

Another timeless & stunning scene in Gion. Suzuko and other Geiko dressed up and getting excited by the parade to come. For some reason, I didn't take any picture of the parade. My focus was on this beautiful crowd.

Maiko Kyouka, photographer of Gion Matsuri

Maiko Kyouka, eye of a photographer

Kyoto 2011

Now I can say that I have something in common with Maiko Kyouka: Photography. She also took many pictures of Gion Matsuri main parade. We laughed looking at each other camera. I don't know about her pictures, but I am really glad about this one. 85mm, focus set on her eye.

Geiko Sakiko at Gion Matsuri

Geiko Sakiko, portrait

Kyoto 2011

In the evening on Hanamikoji during Gion Matsuri.

Several Geiko and Maiko were gathered in front of the Ochaya Ichiriki. Usually they would already be inside with their guests. But on that night they were all waiting outside on Hanamikoji because a Mikoshi was brought through Gion famous street by the participants of the festival.

Everyone was very excited. I hardly had time to make this shot. A few seconds later I was pushed to the wall by the movement of the crowd.

Gion Matsuri, Another wonderful day

Kyouka, Sayaka, Satsuki

 Kyoto 2011

Like last year, Kyouka, Sayaka and Satsuki had fun watching Gion Matsuri main procession and cheering the men pulling the hoko (Click here to view the same scene in 2010, Sayaka was still a Maiko and Satsuki not yet one).

And as every year, it was great to be there.

They are Gion "superstars" but so easy going and accessible. I am grateful to all of them for their kindness and the wonderful photo series.

Maiko Satsuki, watching the hoko

Kyoto 2011

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

Gion Matsuri 祇園祭, main procession

Hoko, Gion Matsuri 

Kyoto 2011

Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan. It takes place every year in July in Kyoto and is crowned by a procession on July 17th called Yamaboko Junkō (山鉾巡行). This colorful parade consists of men dressed in traditional costumes pulling 32 portable shrines through some of Kyoto main streets, Shijo, Karasuma and Oike. The floats are usually called Mikoshi (神輿) throughout Japan but Hoko (鉾) in Kyoto. All floats are made of wood, assembled a few days before the parade, carry musicians and are decorated with tapestries and fabrics.

The festival is over 1100 years old and originates a series of disasters such as plagues, epidemics or earthquake in the 9th Century. The priest of Yasaka Shrine decided to lead a procession to pray and ask for a divine intervention to stop these disasters. The festival is held once a year since and remains very popular.

Pulling the hoko, teamwork

Kyoto 2011

Miyako no Nigiwai : Gokagai

Was it all an illusion ?

 Kyoto 2011

"Miyako no Nigiwai" is a brilliant idea to gather all five Kagai for a joint dance performance.

The Gokagai (5 kagai, Maiko districts, literally flower street) usually organize their own performance separately. Miyako no Nigiwai is therefore a unique chance to see all of them together. It takes place every year on the 3rd week-end of June. People no longer call this event "Miyako no Nigiwai" but simply "Gokagai".

I was a bit too far to take good shots but the above picture gives a good overview of this fantastic show. This is the final dance when all Geiko and Maiko greet the audience.

As usual, it is as interesting to watch inside as outside. The show is amazing but outside it is also wonderful to see other Geiko and Maiko who come to attend the performance with their guests.

 Geiko Sayaka, portrait

 Kyoto 2011

I had not seen Sayaka san since her Erikae. She kindly posed for this portrait. She looks fantastic. I like how she draw the red on her eyes.

Geiko Katsuyuki, portrait

Kyoto 2011

Among the recent Geiko, Katsuyuki san looks stunning too. I had not seen her as a Geiko yet. She was still a Maiko when I took the following pictures. This was only half a year ago but it seems an eternity.

Ohara-me procession

 Girl Portrait, Ohara-me procession

 Kyoto 2011

 

Ohara is a village North-East of Kyoto famous for its temples Ohara and Hosen-In as well as agriculture. The Ohara-me procession celebrates Ohara women elegant blue outfits since Muromachi era. It gathers women and girls from the village and its surroundings, starts in Jakko-in up to Ohara temple.

Woman portrait, Ohara-me procession

Kyoto 2011

Aoi Matsuri - Smile

Saio Dai Court

Kyoto 2011

Another post on Aoi Matsuri with these beautiful smiles. It was a real fight to approach the stunning characters of this festival through the crowd, but it was definitely worth it.

Portrait, Aoi Matsuri

Kyoto 2011

Aoi Matsuri - Procession

Bull, Aoi Matsuri procession

Kyoto 2011

Aoi Matsuri main procession took place on May 15. Started at Kyoto Gosho (Imperial Park) up to the Kamo shrines. As always stunning characters and colorful parade.

Aoi Matsuri, Gosho - Imperial Park

Kyoto 2011

Ujigami Matsuri, carrying the mikoshi

Exhausted, portrait

 Kyoto 2011

May sees plenty of festivals every day. These are always photogenic events. This is a portrait of a man carrying the Mikoshi at Ujigami Matsuri.

The Mikoshi is a portable shrine that is brought through every street and to every house supporting that temple. Participants receive a divine protection for another year. The Mikoshi is quite heavy and the procession last several hours, therefore all men look pretty exhausted at the end of the day. But if you live in the district or the village organizing the festival, you have to participate!

Sometimes it gets pretty dangerous with fire etc... like for this one.

 Teamwork, carrying the Mikoshi

 Kyoto 2011