Shijokasa Hoko of Gion Matsuri Festival

The information of Shijokasa Hoko is presented here. Shijokasa Hoko is a small-sized Yamahoko float (Kasahoko float). Shijokasa Hoko, together with Ayakasa Hoko, is said to be a Kasahoko float that inherited the old style that existed before the Onin War (1467-1477). During Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade), Hayashi-kata (music group) Shijokasa Hoko perform Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music) and Bofuri with Shakumage (red bear hair) perform Bofuri-odori (dance).

• Location Map ＆ Directions
• History and Brief Overview
• Features (subject to change)
• Events (confirmation required)

【Shijokasa Hoko Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: Kasahoko-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Subway Shijo Station (about 12 minutes on foot), Hankyu Karasuma Station (about 10 minutes on foot)
Location: Shijokasa Hoko is located on Shijo-dori, about 60 meters west of the intersection of Nishinotoin-dori (north-south) and Shijo-dori (east-west).

【Shijokasa Hoko (Shijokasa Boko) History and Brief Overview】

The origin of Shijokasa Hoko (四条傘鉾) is not clear. In the “Gionshaki”, which describes the names of Yamahoko floats and places in the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573) before the Onin War (1467-1477), it is written as “Kokiya Kohayashimono こきやこはやし物 (between Shijo Aburakoji and Nishinotoin)”, and Shijokasa Hoko is said to have already been founded before the Onin War. Shijokasa Hoko, along with Ayakasa Hoko, is said to be a Kasahoko float that inherited the old form that existed before the Onin War. Shijokasa Hoko was destroyed by military fire during the Onin War, but was revived in 1500 during the Sengoku period (1493-1590). After that, Shijokasa Hoko was destroyed again during the Dondon-yake (Great Fire of Genji) in 1864, and finally ceased in 1871. In 1985, Kasahoko float was revived and continued to be held as i-matsuri (without Yamahoko-Junko), but in 1988, Bofuri-odori (dance) and Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music) essential to Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade) were restored and returned to Yamahoko-Junko for the first time in 117 years.

★In Yamahoko-Junko, the procession of Bofuri wearing shakumage (red bear hair) and Hayashi-kata (music group) wearing hana-gasa (flower hat) walk together. Bofuri-bayashi (music) was recreated based on Kenketo-odori (dance) handed down at Tagi Shrine in Koga City, Shiga Prefecture. Kenketo-odori (dance) is said to have been handed down from Dengaku-odori (dance), which began in the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
*reference・・・Shijokasa Hoko website

【Features (subject to change)】

★Shijokasa Hoko weighs about 0.40 tons. (2008 Data) Shijokasa Hoko is marked by an umbrella about 2.5 meters in diameter.
★The hoko-gashira consists of a vase, a wakamatsu (young pine tree), and three sekihei. The tari is the “Reiko Hoo Mai-no-zu (Phoenix)” by dyer and weaver Suzuka Yujiro, and is surrounded by a decorative tassel of braided cords. The do-kake under the umbrella is Indian chintz. The children’s stick dance has been designated as a National Selected Intangible Ethnic Cultural Property.
★Chimaki, which has the benefits of good luck and protection from bad luck, hand towels, amulets, etc., are available for purchase.

【Events (confirmation required)】

★In De-bayashi in early July, Kikusui Hoko and Shijokasa Hoko perform Gion-bayashi at Kawaramachi Opa (OPA). Shijokasa Hoko also performs Bofuri-odori (stick swing dance).
★In Former Festival Yoiyama from July 14th to July 16th, Komagata-chochin lanterns of Shijokasa Hoko lit and Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music) is played in the evening.
★In Hiyori-Kagura on July 16th, Hayashi-kata (music group) of Shijokasa Hoko go to Yasaka Shrine Otabisho while playing Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music), and dedicate Gion-bayashi to pray for good weather on the next day, and for the safety of Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade).
★In Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade) on July 17th, Yamahoko floats, including Shijokasa Hoko depart from Shijo-Karasuma and parade along Shijo-dori, Kawaramachi-dori, and Oike-dori. Shijokasa Hoko is the 7th or 15th in the procession of Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko. The order of the 7th or 15th floats of Shijokasa Hoko and Ayakasa Hoko is decided by Kujitori-shiki on July 2nd.

【Shijokasa Hoko 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・・・）