Catherine Pawasarat - The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries

PRAISE FOR THE GION FESTIVAL:
EXPLORING ITS MYSTERIES

The Gion Festival is the most important annual traditional event in Japan and one of the richest cultural celebrations anywhere in the world. Yet until now there has never been a book devoted to it in English. Catherine Pawasarats book, a labor of love involving decades of experience and research, will remain for many years to come as the definitive guide to the Gion Festival.

In heartfelt, easily accessible writing, Pawasarat introduces and explains every aspect of the festival: its history from earliest days through the 15th-century Onin War, the decorative flair as well as the destructive fires of the Edo period, and its renaissance since the late 20th century; the design, symbolism, and treasures of each float; the neighborhoods and houses among which the festival takes place; the many religious rituals, parades, and musical performances that accompany it; as well as practical help in the form of photographs, schedules, and maps.

Pawasarats writing brings the Gion Festival vividly to life. For those who plan to see the Gion Festival in the future, this book will provide critical background and information that was never available before.

Alex Kerr, author, Another Kyoto

At long last, the spiritual, communal, and artistic facets of the magnificent Gion Matsuri are plainly explained in this comprehensive guidebook. The book is much more than this thoughit is also a passionate argument for how communities might maintain their cultural traditions in the face of modernity. The authors personal knowledge and deep commitment to the sustainability of the festival places this guidebook in ground-breaking territory.

John Einarsen, Founding Editor, Kyoto Journal

With background stories on the historical and religious roots of the festival, and detailed information on each individual yamaboko float, as well as links to interactive maps, Pawasarats guide to the Gion Festival is a must-have for anyone traveling to Kyoto for the summer festivities.

Marc Peter Keane, garden designer,
author of Japanese Garden Notes

I grew up immersed in the traditional world of Kyoto culture. But Catherines book showed me a whole new perspective of the Gion Matsuri that I had never known before.

Yuka Tsuen, President, Tsuen Tea International,
24th generation green tea purveyor

The Gion Festival is more than a major summer event in Japan. Its a trip back in time with a fascinating international history. Full of details and practical information, this very accessible guide is the perfect companion to assure youll discover new depths and intriguing mysteries of the festival. The authors love for the people and traditions of the festival and her passion for its importance to our world today are infectious. Whether you are an armchair traveler, planning a trip to Kyoto, or remembering past Gion Festival adventures, youll find this volume full of invaluable insights into this portal to the past.

Rebecca Teele Ogamo, Senior Director,
International Noh Institute

For the first time in English the extraordinarily rich heritage of Kyotos premier festival is here given the coverage it deserves.

John Dougill, author, Kyoto, A Cultural History

Happily, Catherine Pawasarat has now blessed us with a highly enjoyable guide to Gion Matsuri, that provides a thorough overview of this unique festival: its traditions, its roots, its rituals, its significance, and the unique system of community collaboration that has kept the festival going for more than 1,150 years.

The book has two main aspects. On the one hand it is a handy and practical guide book that you can carry around with you as you tour the festival. On the other hand, this book is also an initiation into the deeper significance of the festival. Pawasarat is a long-time teacher of Buddhist meditation techniques and her spiritual training has led her to some profound insights about the nature of this annual celebration.

Pawasarat also pays tribute to the local community that supports Gion Matsuri and lists the many innovative ways that they are adapting to the challenges of the modern era. Reading of the festivals transformation through the ages, the meaning behind each of its processions, and the sheer effort that goes into putting it on each year, one cannot fail to be impressed.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a treasure trove of information about the festival and beautifully illustrated with the authors own color photographs.

Michael Lambe, writer, DeepKyoto.com

The author first encountered Gion Matsuri in her Kyoto neighborhood around 1990. Over many years, she has forged close bonds with local residents in chnai associations, gradually absorbing their oral heritage while observing the impact of significant societal shifts.

The purpose of this book is clearly to raise awareness and appreciation of the unique value of this tradition, as a way of contributing to its long-term survival. A wealth of information is provided on its history, associated events, and how to access specific sites where individual floats and their treasures can be viewed up close in truly astounding detail. Descriptions of their sumptuous decorations may inspire even long-term residents to revisit with fresh eyes. Providing comprehensive descriptions never previously available in English, it is an invaluable aid to personal exploration. Its maps are detailed, as is the events schedule, and links are provided to a companion website, including YouTube videos.

Kyoto Journal

THE GION FESTIVAL

Exploring Its Mysteries

Catherine Pawasarat

Please visit GionFestival.org for my interactive maps.

Copyright Catherine Pawasarat, 2020

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All text and images by Catherine Pawasarat.

Image consultant: Hon Tong Bat Fung.

Proofreading/editing: Richard Sadowsky.

Publishing wizard: Christopher Lawley.

Marketing ninja: Gazelle Antasuda.

Book design and formatting: JETLAUNCH.

First Printing, July 2020.

ISBN: 978-0-9985886-9-8

GionFestival.org

Also by the author:

Wasteland to Pureland: Reflections on the Path to Awakening

Co-authored with Doug Duncan

Dedicated to the deities of the Gion Festival