Funehoko (Ayanokoji-dori, Shinmachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto), which is the last of the Gion Festival's "Saki-matsuri" parade (July 17), will confirm the safety of the new and old masks on July 3, 2023. "face change" was performed. This year, the events that were restricted due to the corona crisis will return to their original form.
The divine mask is the mask of Empress Jingu, one of the sacred dolls. During the procession, a copy of the mask is attached to the object of worship, and the real mask is brought by the preservation society officer and ridden on the float.
At 10:00 a.m., the Shinto priest of Yasaka Shrine was welcomed at the town hall, and the "good luck entering" began. Next, Mr. Yasuyuki Shinagawa (62 years old), Executive Director of the Preservation Society, carefully took out the original, and Mr. Shinichiro Yamada (57 years old), Director of the Preservation Society, carefully took out the copy from the wooden box. The two held paper in their mouths so that they wouldn't breathe, and held their masks up for about 30 seconds. After confirming that it was safe, it was carefully put back in the wooden box.
Chairman Hiroyuki Maruhashi (71 years old) said, "We will resume general visits to the floats and the town hall. The host will wear a mask just in case, but we will leave it up to the visitors to wear it." Citizens are invited to participate in the hiki-hajime on the afternoon of July 13th, and from that evening they can climb onto the floats and observe the parade.
