Geiko Kosen, erikae
Kyoto 2011
What was she thinking about on her erikae, one of the greatest day of her career ?
Gion narrow streets enable to get this stunning natural light that enhance her white, black and red.
27 August 2011
Geiko Kosen, black & white & red
What was she thinking about on her erikae, one of the greatest day of her career ?
Gion narrow streets enable to get this stunning natural light that enhance her white, black and red.
19 August 2011
The Sato girls
The Sato Girls
Kyoto 2011
Always pleasant to see the Sato girls, the wonderful Maiko trio from Kamishichiken, here heading to Gokagai.
5 August 2011
23 July 2011
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.
21 July 2011
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.
19 July 2011
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
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