Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai of Gion Matsuri

The information of Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai is presented here. Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai is held before Shinko-sai on July 17th and Kanko-sai on July 24th. In Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai, the yocho (kakite) of Nishikimikoshikai who serve Nishigoza Mikoshi’s procession pray for the safety of the procession at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, which is considered as the guardian shrine of Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) and other downtown areas.

• Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai 2024 Schedule
• Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai map ＆ access
• Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai brief overview

【Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai 2024 Schedule (confirmation required)】

Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai 2024 will be held on Wednesday, July 17th and Wednesday, July 24th, 2024.
●Gion Matsuri Festival 2024 will start on July 1st, 2024 and end on July 31st, 2024.
Gion Matsuri Festival Schedule (July 1st-31st)

【Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 537 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 3 minutes on foot), Keihan Gion Shijo Station (about 7 minutes on foot), Sabway Shijo Station (about 15 minutes on foot)

【Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai of Gion Matsuri brief overview】

Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai (錦神輿会安全祈願祭) of Gion Matsuri Festival (祇園祭) is held before Shinko-sai (Oide) on July 17th and Kanko-sai (Okaeri) on July 24th. Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai is held before Shinko-sai July 17th and Kanko-sai on July 24th, when Nakagoza Mikoshi, Higashigoza Mikoshi and Nishigoza Mikoshi parade. In Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai, the yocho (kakite) of Nishikimikoshikai who serve Nishigoza Mikoshi’s procession pray for the safety of the procession at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, which is considered as the guardian shrine of Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) and other downtown areas. Incidentally, in 2013, the Nishiki Mikoshi-kai (Nishiki Mikoshi Association) created new nagae (carrying poles) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Nishiki Market Promotion Association and the 65th year of Nishigoza Mikoshi’s processional service. After Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai, the yocho (kakite) carrying Nishigoza Mikoshi, raises the narikan above his head and goes to Yasaka Shrine while ringing the “shanshan” sound. (kan-narashi) In addition, Kuzekomagata-Chigo, who leads Nakagoza Mikoshi during Shinko-sai and Kanko-sai, also worships at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine.

★The Nishiki Mikoshi-kai (Nishiki Mikoshi Association) has been serving Nishigoza Mikoshi procession since 1947. Nishigoza Mikoshi used to be served by the Sanwaka Shinyo-kai (Sanwaka Shinyo Association), but in the Taisho period (1912-1926), the Mibu-gumi of Mibu Village began to serve Nishigoza Mikoshi. However, the Mibu-gumi was dissolved, and the Nishiki Mikoshi-kai (Nishiki Mikoshi Association) began to serve.
★Nishigoza Mikoshi carries the divine spirits of Yahashira-no-mikogami, the eight children of Susano-no-mikoto. Yahashira-no-mikogami are Otoshi-no-kami, Yashimajinumi-no-kami, Itakeru-no-kami, Oyahime-no-kami, Tsumatsuhime-no-kami, Ukanomitama-no-kami, Oyabiko-no-kami, Suseribime-no-mikoto.
★According to shrine legend, Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine was founded in Sugawara-in, the birthplace of Sugawara no Michizane, in the early Heian period (794-1185). After the death of Sugawara no Michizane, Sugawara-in was transformed into Kanki-ji Temple. Later, Kanki-ji Temple was moved to the former residence of Minamoto no Toru, the son of the 52nd Emperor Saga, where it was enshrined as Tenman Daijizai Tenjin. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Kanki-ji Temple was donated to Zendo-ji Temple, known as Ji-shu sect Dojo Kankiko-ji Temple, and Kanki-ji Temple became to Tenmangu Shrine. During the Tensho period (1573-1593), Tenmangu Shrine, along with Kankiko-ji Temple, was moved to its present location on the grounds of Ji-shu sect Shijo Dojo Konren-ji Temple by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After the Meiji Restoration, Tenmangu Shrine became independent from Kankiko-ji Temple due to the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, and later Kankiko-ji Temple moved to Higashiyama Gojo, leaving only Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, and the shrine area was reduced by the opening of Shin-Kyogoku-dori. In addition, Nishiki Tenmangu is considered to be the guardian shrine for Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) and other downtown areas.

【Nishikimikoshikai Anzenkigan-sai of Gion Matsuri remarks】
*Events may be rescheduled or cancelled. Also, the content of the event may have changed.
祇園祭2025日程一覧（宵山屋台・山鉾巡行・・・）