Gion Matsuri

[Nagi David]

Any time I do some search on the web about Naginata I get some pictures of the Gion Matsuri Festival and over this Naginata BOKO

<center>http://www.tonoichi.co.jp/gionmaturi/docu0023.jpg </center>

This is the explanation I get on the web :

NAGINATA BOKO
According to the traditional requlation of Gion Matsuri, the leads the procession of thiry-two floats every year inspite of the hact that other floats march on the street by the oerder which is arranged by the lots officially drawn by the Mayor of Kyoto in advance.
Named for the halberd (“Naginata” in Japanese) on its summit, this float is said to have had the power to exorcise the evil spirits which caouse epidemics by this halberd.
This is also the only float in which a live child rides.
This child is especially chosen evey year from many traditional families in Kyoto as a representative of the Shinto Deities


Can anybody tell me more about it? And why is there a Naginata on the top?

[Marine_Boy]

A guy at my work place has managed to buy a video from the Kyoto tourist board which gives an explaination of all the festivals in Kyoto throughout the year. One part of that video details the info that you'll need, although I've seen it, I can't remember. So I guess you should try the Kyoto tourist board.

Also, the child that you mentioned cuts a cerimonial rope with a child sized katana which marks the start of the Gion matsuri.

Hope that helps.

Stan

[kendomushi]

If I remember correctly, the Gion Matsuri started as a rite to drive away drought and disease that was believed to be caused by demons. Music was played on the floats to attract the demons, and when the unseen demons would try to join in riding the float the enchanted naginata would smite them thus freeing the region from the disease, drought, ill events that the demon caused.
I last attended the festival back in 1988 but tis is how I remember it being explained to me then.

[Nagi David]

Thanks,
I was expecting this kind of explanation