My family and I went to Gion Matsuri of Kyoto. It was filled with tourists though the weather was nasty. The street lined with a lot of stalls, and it smelled very good. Chow meins, Takoyaki, roast corns, cotton candies, cracked ices. My wife and daughter seemed to have been very happy to put on the yukata though I was exhausted with walked a lot.
History of Gion Matsuri
The origin of Gion Matsuri is "Gion Goryoue" in 7th June 869 AD. That is a festival of lustrating epidemic.
Hokos appeared in 11th century. But, turmoil of the Onin war (1467-1477) prevented its continuance.
Gion Matsuri was resuscitated in 1500 A.D. and become established modern style.
Gion Matsuri is a festival of the people, by the people, for the people. It's a Kyoto's spirit.
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