Ayagasa Boko

Ayagasa Boko is one of the floats featured in Kyoto’s Gion Festival Early Festival (Saki Matsuri). Unlike the towering yamaboko floats, it is centered around a large decorative umbrella, preserving one of the festival’s oldest traditions.

The umbrella is adorned with sacred paper streamers and bright red tassels, while the procession is accompanied by traditional festival music and the lively Bo-furi Bayashi, a performance featuring rhythmic stick dances. Together, these elements make Ayagasa Boko one of the most distinctive attractions of the Gion Festival.

History

Ayagasa Boko preserves the style of the early umbrella floats that appeared in the original Gion Festival centuries ago.

The float disappeared from the procession for many years following periods of decline, but thanks to the efforts of the local community, it returned to the Yamahoko Procession in 1979, after an absence of approximately 150 years.

Today, Ayagasa Boko plays an important role in preserving the oldest traditions of the Gion Festival, combining elegant craftsmanship with traditional performing arts.

Highlights

Preserving the Original Umbrella Float Tradition

Ayagasa Boko is one of the few floats that reflects the earliest form of the Gion Festival.

Bo-furi Bayashi Performance

The procession features the traditional Bo-furi Bayashi, a lively stick dance performed to festival music.

Revived After 150 Years

The float returned to the Gion Festival procession in 1979 after a long absence.

Elegant Decorative Umbrella

Its beautifully decorated umbrella, adorned with sacred ornaments and red tassels, offers a graceful contrast to the towering festival floats.

Visit Tips

Ayagasa Boko is especially enjoyable during the Yamahoko Procession, when visitors can watch the traditional Bo-furi Bayashi performance accompanying the float.

Located in the Shijo-Karasuma festival area, it can easily be visited together with famous floats such as Naginata Boko, Kanko Boko, Tsuki Boko, and Niwatori Boko, allowing visitors to experience the diversity of Kyoto’s Gion Festival traditions.