On May 4, 2024, the Heisei Onnahoko Sayane-kai, a group of female Hayashi musicians, dedicated Gion Hayashi at Shinsenen in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. The sound of ``Konchikichin'' echoed pleasantly in the bright May sunny precincts.
Shinsen-en has a history of holding a spiritual ceremony in 869, which is said to be the origin of the Gion Festival. Since 2015, the Sayane-kai, which practices twice a month, has been performing their music on this day, when the Shinsenen Festival is held.
Twenty-three members, wearing matching purple yukata, played drums, gongs, and flutes in front of Zenjo Ryuosha, which stands in the center of the pond. More than 10 musical accompaniments were performed to the chants of ''Sore'' and ''Yo-i-yoi.''
This time, Karen Shimano (22 years old), a university student who joined the group two years ago, played the gong for the first time at Shinsen-en with veteran members. She grew up near Hokomachi in central Kyoto, and said that she has felt close to the Gion Festival, and said with a serious expression, ''She wants to deliver a harmonious musical accompaniment.''
