The Ofunahoko Preservation Society of Shijo-cho (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City)—part of the Gion Festival—has received a donation of a painting titled "Ascending and Descending Dragons" from Eiichi Shiotani (85 years old), a leading artist of contemporary dragon paintings. The artwork depicts the "Blue Dragon"—a figure deeply associated with Yasaka Shrine (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)—glaring intensely. The Preservation Society expressed its delight, stating, "We have always incorporated the finest decorative elements of each era. In the near future, we hope to use this painting as a motif to create new *ten-mizuhiki* (upper decorative hangings) for the float."
Both the descending dragon on the left and the ascending dragon on the right measure 135 cm in height and 95 cm in width. Created over a two-month period starting this spring, the work utilizes Japanese fabric, genuine indigo dye from Tokushima Prefecture, gold and silver leaf, and white *gofun* (shell powder).
The Society's board chairman (56 years old) first met Eiichi Shiotani at a gathering of the "Traditional Culture Preservation Association" (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City). The Ofunahoko float, which serves as the final entry in the *Ato-matsuri* (Later Festival) Yamaboko procession, has long incorporated dragon motifs into its many decorations—such as the *ten-mizuhiki* and *shita-mizuhiki* (lower hangings)—based on the belief that dragons govern over pestilence. After visiting an exhibition by Shiotani and being captivated by the dynamic energy of his dragons, the Society's officials commissioned him to create a dragon painting specifically envisioned for the Ofunahoko's decorations.
The Ofunahoko returned to the Yamaboko procession in 2014, marking the 150th anniversary of its destruction in the great fire caused by the "Kinmon Incident" at the end of the Edo period. While some decorations from the late Edo period survived the fire, many were severely damaged, prompting a gradual process of creating new replacements following the float's revival. Driven by the conviction that there is no final endpoint to the float's restoration, the Society began to feel that "rather than simply recreating the past, it would be fitting to have items featuring designs commissioned by the *machishu* (townspeople) of the Reiwa era." A presentation ceremony took place at the Ofune-hoko neighborhood association hall on June 18. The association's president expressed his gratitude, stating, "This is the ideal dragon the preservation society envisioned; it adds a new treasure to the Ofune-hoko float and will serve as a symbol of its revival. We intend to consider various ways to utilize it, including potentially using the painting itself as a rear tapestry." Mr. Shiotani beamed as he remarked, "It feels like a dream to have my painting used in the Gion Festival, an event that represents Japan. I believe the dragon is happy about it, too."
The donated dragon painting will be displayed in the show window next to the main entrance of the Daimaru Kyoto store (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City) from July 1 to 12. Additionally, plans are in place to exhibit it at the neighborhood association hall for public viewing during the *Yoiyama* (eve festival) period of the *Ato-matsuri* (Latter Festival).
