Gion Matsuri - Yamaboko Junko series

Posted by Celialee (Kyoto, Japan) on 9 August 2007 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

A close up shot of the front of the Fune Boko - my favourite float of the series.

Short description of the Fune Boko from the official website:

'The origin of the Fune Hoko (Fune means "a ship" or "a boat") is a story from Chronicles of Japan: Empress Jingu crossed the sea to conquer the Shilla Kingdom on the Korean Peninsula. The figure of Empress Jingu, stored inside the houseboat-shaped float, wears a mask, a crown, a long-sleeved jacket in dark blue and golden silk, a pair of intricately decorated scarlet pants and dignified scarlet amour. The Empress gave birth to the 15th Emperor of Ohjin. Following the Empress's example, the deity figure wears the bleached white clothes around its body, which are given away as maternity girdles for easy deliveries after the procession. The current hoko float was designed during the Hohreki Era (1751-1764) and was completed during the Tempo Era (1830-1843). The head of the boat is crowned by Geki, a legendary phoenix bird. The Geki is 1.3 meters in height and 2.7 meters in wingspan.'

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