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Tsuki Hoko of Gion Matsuri Festival
Tsuki Hoko of Gion Matsuri Festival
The information of Tsuki Hoko (Tsuki Boko) is presented here. Tsuki Hoko is a large-sized Yamahoko float (Hoko float), and its symbol is the crescent moon (hoko-gashira) attached to the tip of the shingi (pillar), which extends vertically to the sky. Hayashi-kata (music group) playing Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music) and Chigo doll “Otomaru” board Tsuki Hoko during Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade). Tsuki Hoko is said to be the largest and heaviest of all Yamahoko floats.
- Location Map & Directions
- History and Brief Overview
- Features (subject to change)
- Events (confirmation required)
【Tsuki Hoko Location Map & Directions】
Address: Tsukihoko-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Subway Shijo Station (about 5 minutes on foot), Hankyu Karasuma Station (about 4 minutes on foot)
Location: Tsuki Hoko is located on Shijo-dori, about 70 meters west of the intersection of Muromachi-dori (north-south) and Shijo-dori (east-west).
【Tsuki Hoko (Tsuki Boko) History and Brief Overview】
The origin of Tsuki Hoko (月鉾) 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 “Katsura Otoko Hoku かつら男ほく (between Shijo Muromachi and Machi (Shinmachi))”, and Tsuki Hoko is said to have already been founded before the Onin War. Later, in 1573 during the Sengoku period (1493-1590), a new crescent moon (mikaduki) of the hoko-gashira was attached to the tip of the shingi (pillar) with the inscription “Okazariya Kanemon on a good day, June 4th year of Genki (1573)”. The inscription “4th year of Genki (1573)” is said to be the oldest of all hoko-gashira in Gion Matsuri Festival. In 1714, in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868), a new crescent moon (mikaduki) was created. The current crescent moon (mikaduki) is made of 18-karat gold and was presented by Tanabe Yuzo in 1981. Until 1911, Iki-Chigo (living child) was on board in the same way as Tsuki Hoko, but Iki-Chigo (living child) was replaced by Chigo doll. Tsuki Hoko was one of the first Yamahoko floats to participate in Yamahoko-Junko (Float Procession, Yamaboko Parade) with Naginata Hoko after the Pacific War, as it had escaped serious damage from the Tenmei-no-taika (Great Fire of Tenmei) in 1788 and the Genji-no-taika (Great Fire of Genji) in 1864, and its kesohin (decoration) was also undamaged.
★The name “Tsuki Hoko” is derived from the fact that the current crescent moon (mikaduki) is attached to the hoko-gashira, and Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto is enshrined on the tennoza of the shingi (pillar). Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto was born when Izanagi-no-mikoto returned from Yomi-no-kuni and washed his right eye in the misogi purification, and it is said that from that time Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto became not only the god of water but also the god who rules the night. It is also said that Izanagi-no-mikoto washed his left eye and gave birth to Amaterasu-okami, and washed his nose and gave birth to Susanoo-no-mikoto. Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto was the younger brother of Amaterasu-okami and the older brother of Susanoo-no-mikoto. Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto ruled over Yoru-no-osukuni in contrast to Amaterasu-okami’s Takamagahara and Susanoo-no-mikoto’s Ne-no-kuni. Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto deifies the moon and is considered the god who rules the night.
★Tsuki Hoko is the 9th, 13th or 17th in the procession of Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko, and tsuji-mawashi (turning of streets) is performed at the intersection. The order of the 9th, 13th and 17th floats of Tsuki Hoko Kikusui Hoko and Niwatori Hoko is decided by Kujitori-shiki on July 2nd.
*reference・・・Tsuki Hoko website
【Features (subject to change)】
★Tsuki Hoko is about 26.77 meters high, 6.85 meters long, 4.10 meters wide, 11.88 tons in total weight, and has a minimum turning radius of 6.45 meters. (2008 Data)
★Chigo doll “Otomaru” was created by the 5th generation, Ito Hisashige, in 1912.
★The “Kinjisaishiki Soka-zu (Flowers and Grasses)” of the attic is drawing by Maruyama Okyo, and the “Kinjichokusai Genji Gojuyonjo Senmenchirashi-zu” of the ceiling is a drawing by Iwaki Kuemon. The sculpture of the hafu kaerumata is said to be the work of Hidari Jingoro. In addition, the decorated metal fittings of the eaves are said to be the design of Matsumura Keibun. The “Reiju (Sacred Beasts” embroidery of the ten-mizuhiki is an original design by Maruyama Oshin. The mae-kake (front) and the miokuri (back) are Indian carpets, and the do-kake (side) are Indian and Turkish carpets. The Middle Eastern lotus flower and leaf pattern on the north side was replaced with a replica in 2010, and the geometric diamond pattern on the south side was replaced with a replica in 2011. In addition, the shita-mizuhiki was replaced with the “Kacho-zu (Flower and Bird)” made by Minagawa Geka, and the miokuri (back) was replaced with the “Kohan Reime-zu (Lakeside)” made by Minagawa Geka, and in 2000, a replica of the Indian carpet of the mae-kake (front) was also made.
★Chimaki, which can ward off bad luck and illness, hand towels, mini Yamahoko float, sensu (fans), etc., are available for purchase. The purchase of chimaki and other items may allow you to board Kanko Hoko. (Confirmation required)
【Events (confirmation required)】
★In Former Festival Yamahoko-hikizome on July 12th, newly assembled Tsuki Hoko is pulled, just as in the actual Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko on July 17th.
★In Former Festival Yoiyama from July 14th to July 16th, Komagata-chochin lanterns of Tsuki Hoko are lit and Gion-bayashi (Gion Matsuri music) is played in the evening.
★In Hiyori-Kagura on July 16th, Hayashi-kata (music group) of Tsuki 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 Tsuki Hoko depart from Shijo-Karasuma and parade along Shijo-dori, Kawaramachi-dori, and Oike-dori. Tsuki Hoko is the 9th, 13th or 17th in the procession of Former Festival Yamahoko-Junko, and tsuji-mawashi (turning of streets) is performed at the intersection. The order of the 9th, 13th and 17th floats of Tsuki Hoko, Niwatori Hoko, and Kikusui Hoko is decided by Kujitori-shiki on July 2nd.
【Tsuki 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・・・)