Gion Matsuri is one of the three most celebrated festivals in Kyoto, which originated in people’s attempt to halt a series of raging plagues in the ninth century. The festival spans the entire month of July, which culminates in the procession of gorgeous yamahoko floats with decorative halberds parading through the main streets on the 17th. The festival music called “Ohayashi’’ played with traditional Japanese musical instruments reminds Kyotoites of the approaching hot summer.
(祇園祭は京都三大祭りで、相次ぐ大疫病を食い止めようと9世紀に始まった。7月の1か月間にわたるこの祭りは、装飾的な鉾で飾られた豪華約順調な山鈴が大通りを練り歩く17日の山鉾巡業で最高潮に達する。「お囃子」と呼ばれる伝統的な和楽器で演奏される音楽は、京都の人々に暑い夏の到来を思い起こさせる)