honorable mention
Chihiro Tanaka japan
title
“Yamahoko” in the Modern City
For a few days before the cruise in the Gion Festival, these “Yamahoko” set on the street of Kyoto city, designed in ancient time (base on people thoughts), face the modern city. The “Hoko” of each float extendeds towards sky, still seems to be effective.
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entry description
In Kyoto, many people died by plague, during the rainy season from ancient times. People thought that “Ekijin” (the evil god of plague) is the cause of death, so they make beautiful decorated float called “Yamahoko”, pulling through the street to gather “Ekijin” , and drive out from the city. According by the legend, those evil gods prefer bright and beautiful things, so beginning of the “Yamahoko” has sword like “Hoko”, pole stands in the center of the float. Derive from that, floats with pine trees and umbrellas were also made. People pull “Yamahoko” around the city(cruise of floats) , is the highlight of the Gion Festival which started from 14 centuries.For a few days before the cruise in the Gion Festival, these “Yamahoko” set on the street of Kyoto city, designed in ancient time (base on people thoughts), face the modern city. The “Hoko” of each float extendeds towards sky, still seems to be effective.
about the photographer
A photographer living near Biwako (=Lake Biwa), in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.back to gallery