烏丸
鷹山、196年ぶりに巡行復活山→真松鉾→真木Kita-Kannon-yamaReferred to as "Nobori-Kannon" (literally "Upbound Kannon"), this float leads the latter half of the Gion Festival procession, and was built in 1353 according to an old document handed down in the neighborhood. Figures of Yoryu-Kannon (one of the 33 manifestations of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy that is believed to heal diseases) and Idaten (an ancient Indian deity noted as a very fast runner that is said to have recaptured the once stolen sacred ashes of the historical Buddha from demons) are displayed on board this float. Many of the Yama floats (mountain type floats) are carried on human shoulders, but this is one of the few Yama floats that is drawn with ropes like the larger Hoko (halberd type) floats.Long willow leaves hang from the rear of this float during the parade because of its association with Yoryu-kannon (literally "Willow Kannon"), the healer of diseases. After the parade, many viewers rush to get parts of the leaves to use as charms.Kyoto CityMinami-Kannon-yamaAlso called "Kudari-Kannon-yama" (literally "Downward Kannon Float"), this drawn-by-rope type float is the last float in the procession during the Gion Festival parade.This float used to appear at the end of the procession in the Ato-no-matsuri (the latter festival). The Minami-Kannon-yama derives its name from the following legend: Zenzai-doji, an acolyte of Buddhism, was on a tour to the south (“minami" in Japanese) visiting 53 saints to ask for their teaching, when the 28th Kannon Bodhisattva, who was living in the beautiful southern sea, taught the boy how to save all humans from all types of suffering.The seated and peacefully meditating image of Yoryu-Kannon (literally "Willow Kannon") that is the main object of worship of this float, was originally made in the Kamakura period (1192-1333) but was badly damaged in the big fire of 1788 leaving just the head and part of the chest unburnt.During the parade this float carries a large hanging willow branch at its rear. From the four corners of the float hang four wooden scent bags with carvings of the chrysanthemum flower, bamboo, the Japanese plum blossom, and orchid respectively, which are admired as the four noblest plants among all vegetation. These ornaments are called "Kusudama (literally "Medicine Balls") and are believed to expel diseases.A precious Indian calico carpet made in 1684, which is acknowledged as the oldest of its kind in Japan, is preserved as the hanging decoration on this toat.Kyoto Cityにほんブログ村