Gion Matsuri Yamahoko Rengokai - "Gion Matsuri" - A Photographic Record - 祇園祭 - 1982

“Gion Matsuri” - A Photographic Record　祇園祭

This book provides a detailed introduction to the history and cultural significance of the Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's most representative traditional events, as well as the traditions that have been passed down to the present day.

Edited and published by the Gion Matsuri Yamahoko Association, this book carefully records the rich background and charm of the Gion Matsuri with beautiful photographs.

The Gion Matsuri began in the Heian period and is one of Japan's three major traditional festivals, held every July at Yasaka Shrine in the center of Kyoto City. This festival, which began to quell epidemics and disasters, is a festival with deep traditions that have walked alongside the city of Kyoto for over a thousand years.

The biggest attraction of the Gion Matsuri is the "Yamahoko Junko," in which gorgeously decorated Yamahoko floats parade through the city. This event, so beautiful and magnificent that it is sometimes called a moving art museum, impresses all who visit. Another great attraction of the Gion Matsuri is that local residents are involved in the preparation and management of the festival, and have continued to preserve traditional crafts, music, and local ties.

TheGion Matsuri, which has not lost its luster even after more than a thousand years, is a festival that can be said to be a symbol of traditional Japanese culture.
This book provides a detailed explanation of the changes from its origins to the present day, and shows how the Gion Matsuri has been deeply connected to the lives and culture of the people of Kyoto.
In addition, the structure and decoration of the traditional Yamahoko floats and the details of the parade route are explained on a map, so the profound charm of the Gion Matsuri is fully conveyed.

The photographs are also very diverse, and you can fully enjoy the charm of the Gion Matsuri visually, such as the historical scenes of the Gion Festival depicted in ukiyo-e, the old Yamahoko parade captured in black and white photographs, and the beautiful glow of lanterns floating in the night sky.

In addition, well-known scholars and cultural figures such as Shibata Minoru and Hayashiya Tatsusaburo were involved in the editing, providing deep insight into the historical significance and cultural value of the Gion Festival.

■About the Editor
- Minoru Shibata (柴田 実)
Minoru Shibata is renowned as a researcher in Japanese cultural and urban history. His academic focus was particularly centered on the traditional culture and historical urban structure of Kyoto, where he made significant contributions to the field.
- Connection to Kyoto
As a professor emeritus at Kyoto University, Shibata extensively studied and published works on Japan's traditional events and festivals, with a special emphasis on Kyoto’s cultural heritage, including the Gion Matsuri. He is considered a pioneer in the academic study of the Gion Matsuri, analyzing it from historical and cultural perspectives.
Shibata's research goes beyond simple historical explanations, offering in-depth examinations of Kyoto’s unique cultural background and its developmental processes as a city. His work has profoundly influenced subsequent generations of researchers in the field.

- Tatsusaburo Hayashiya (林屋 辰三郎)
Tatsusaburo Hayashiya was a highly prominent scholar in Japanese cultural history and historical studies, specializing in Japan’s history from the medieval to early modern periods. He was deeply involved in the study of Japanese urban culture and its transformations, as well as the preservation of cultural properties.
- Connection to Kyoto -
Hayashiya served as the director of the Kyoto National Museum, where he dedicated himself to the protection of Japan’s cultural heritage and the transmission of traditional culture. His contributions extended beyond academia, as he played a significant role in the preservation of cultural assets.
- Relationship with the Gion Matsuri -
Hayashiya conducted extensive research on the Gion Matsuri and Kyoto’s cultural heritage, presenting them as vital elements of Japanese culture to the world. His studies highlighted that the Gion Matsuri is not merely a local event but a manifestation of Japan's history and cultural identity.

Minoru Shibata and Tatsusaburo Hayashiya were both leading authorities in the study of Japanese culture, particularly centered on Kyoto. They played pivotal roles in uncovering and highlighting the academic significance of Japan’s traditional events, including the Gion Matsuri.

Their contributions have profoundly influenced countless individuals who cherish culture and history, playing essential roles in the preservation of Japan’s cultural heritage and the continuation of its traditions.

As such, these two figures are indispensable when discussing the Gion Matsuri and Kyoto’s traditional culture.

In addition to his academic work, Hayashiya authored numerous books on Japanese traditional culture, significantly contributing to the broader dissemination and appreciation of Japan’s cultural heritage both domestically and internationally.

This book was first published in 1978, but was so well received that it sold out the following year.
There were many requests for a reprint, and in 1982 it was reprinted with some revisions and new articles.

For those interested in Kyoto's history and culture, and those who want to know more about traditional Japanese events, this book is a valuable resource and will be an important record that conveys the charm of the Gion Festival to the present day. It is a valuable book for library and museum collections, as well as for personal collections.

■Condition
Due to aging, there are some scratches on the cover and case, and some stains on the pages, but the overall condition is good.
Please see the photos for details.
The quality of the photos and explanations is also high, making it an excellent resource for the Gion Festival .

■Book information
Publisher: Gion Matsuri Yamahoko Association
Publication date: June 1, 1982 (revised and expanded edition)

■Dimensions
- Book
Height : 26.0 cm
Width : 21.7 cm
Thickness : 2.0 cm
Number of pages : 200
Weight : 1049 g

- Case
Height : 27.0 cm
Width : 22.0 cm
Thickness : 2.4 cm
Weight : 2.4 g

- Total weight : 1166g

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