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Writer's pictureYuri

八坂神社と祇園祭/Yasaka Shrine and Gion-matsuri

6月30日の #夏越の祓(なごしのはらえ)を終えると、新しい半年の始まりがやってきます。

After nagoshi-no-harae on June 30th, a new half year starts.


7月1日は京都ではとても重要な始まり。「祇園祭」の始まりです。

July first is an important beginning in Kyoto. A religious festival called Gion-matsuri (Gion festival) kicks off.


祇園祭は八坂神社のお祭りで、869年に疫病が静まるよう、神仏に祈りを捧げたのが始まりです。

Gion-matsuri is Yasaka Shrine's festival, and it dates back to 869, when an epidemic was picking up, and started praying.

八坂神社/ Yasaka Shrine


これは日本三大祭りの一つに数えられ、ユネスコ無形文化財にも登録されている、大変有名なお祭りですが、テレビで大々的に取り上げられるのが「山鉾巡行」と呼ばれる行事のため、これが祇園祭なのだ、というイメージをお持ちの方が少なくありません。

It's a very famous festival: one of the three biggest festivals in Japan, and also designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Several events of the festival is even broadcast live on TV.


実は、7月1日から31日まで、丸1ヶ月の間、様々な神事が目白押しです。

Actually, the whole month of July from 1st to 31th is considered to be the period of this important religious season.


まさに今年も疫病が流行っていますから、今も昔も、人間が病や天災の前にいかに無力であるかを思い知らされます。

Indeed, a new corona virus has changed our life a lot this year, we have now again realized how helpless human is in front of diseases and disasters.

八坂神社の絵馬/ Ema wooden board in Yasaka Shrine


お出かけの際は、マスクの着用を忘れずに。

Don't forget to wear masks when you go out.

マスクをする大国さん/ Daikoku wears mask

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