Gion Matsuri Exclusive Items

Ordinarily, Goshuin seals are seal stamps that worshippers at shrines or temples can get as proof of being there. The name of the temple or shrine is stamped using a shuin, which is what gives these seal stamps their name.

Moreover, there are Goshuin that can only be collected by going to the different floats during Gion Matsuri’s two parts, the early Saki Matsuri, and the later Ato Matsuri!
Each float features original, beautiful seals and apparently there are even people who go around to each float just for the sake of getting their hands on the seals.
Even if this was your first time hearing of them or you were never interested in them, if you’re making your way to Gion Matsuri, then why not pick up some of the seals for yourself?

Here we would like to introduce some of Sharing Kyoto’s most recommended unique and interesting Goshuin seals. In addition to the seals we introduce here, there are a plethora of other amazing seals out there, so keep an eye out for them while you make your way around the floats.

This Goshuin seal features the characters “菊水” (Kikusui) in the shape of a Yamahoko float. It’s simple, but the tasteful lettering of the characters leaves a lasting impact. Also, you’ll notice on the tip of the spear in the design there is a beautiful Chrysanthemum flower, which features the symbol of the Kikusui float.

This cool Goshuin seal features a three-legged bird spreading its wings. The design shows the crescent moon that sits at the tip of the float’s spear and a legendary bird symbolizing the sun that appears in the decorative plating on the roof of the float. The implicit portrayal of the contrast between the sun and the moon is quite intriguing indeed.

The Ayakasaboko float borrows its design from the long-handled and beautifully decorated “Furyu-gasa” which are often used in festivals and the like. Sadly the original float was lost to a fire, so the one we see today is a reconstruction. However, the float’s Goshuin seal features a design which pictures the original float as it was before the fire and the shrine crest of the Yasaka Shrine. The detailed, charming, and delicately drawn picture in this seal is simply wonderful, isn’t it?

The Toyoyama float’s seal features an impactful real depiction of the animatronic mantis that sits atop the float. The design of the mantis with the characters “蟷螂山” (Toroyama) strike an excellent balance and come together in an absolutely beautifully Goshuin seal.

Just as the name suggests, the Koiyama float’s seal features the design of a koi fish. The design itself depicts a koi fish trying with all its might to climb the torrent of water that is the Ryumon falls. Make sure to take a closer look at the small details of the design, such as the depiction of the flowing river and the koi fish’s fins. The design of the Chinese characters used are also super cool too; with the character “山” (Yama: meaning mountain) from the name “鯉山” (Koiyama) taking the shape of an actual mountain.

Exclusive Goshuincho seal books
At Gion Matsuri, there are no essential rules when it comes to collecting the Goshuin seals. You can use your own seal book, or even just a notebook that you are particularly fond of, there are no limitations. However, I’m sure there are some of you out there who are thinking, “well if I’m going to be getting the exclusive Gion Matsuri seals, then I want to make sure they’re kept in the best shape possible.”

For anyone thinking that, I would like to recommend a Goshuincho, or seal book. As the name suggests, these seal books are for collecting the Goshuin seals and are made of comparatively strong washi paper, so they are especially good at not letting the ink smudge. Also, there are Gion Matsuri exclusive seal books that you can only get during the festival too! They are sold at each float, so definitely check them out! This is also the perfect opportunity for anyone who doesn’t have a seal book yet to pick one up!

Recommended times

The different floats usually give out their Goshuin seals from 10 AM to 10 PM. Our recommended time for seal collecting is 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For more popular seals you may need to wait in line, and waiting in line for a long time in the hot sun is not very nice. We recommend going from late afternoon to early evening when the weather cooled down slightly.

Contributions

The money that is given when receiving one of the Goshuin seals is called a Shinokin or contribution. The Goshuin seals at Gion Matsuri usually range from 0 yen to 300 yen. Some floats require a contribution, while others will say“Pay as much as you would like. ”When seal collecting, it is also a good idea to carry around coins (especially 100 yen coins) instead of cash notes.

These “Chimaki” that are being sold at every single float, what are they? What they are is charms made out of bamboo leaves for protecting against disease and disaster. In Kyoto, many people seek out these chimaki so they can hang them above the entrance ways to their homes. Not only families, but hotels and stores hang chimaki up too, so if you’ve ever been to Kyoto, then you’ve probably seen them around.

Each Yamahoko float offers chimaki charms that contain different divine favors based on the floats origins. Below we have made a list of chimaki divided by the different divine favors.



Uradeyama

The Uradeyama float represents the tale of the historical Empress Jingu who fished up a freshwater trout and foresaw victory in war. Empress Jingu has long been worshipped as the god of childbirth and child rearing as she is supposed to have entered the battlefield during her last month of pregnancy, and upon returning home, safely given birth. For this reason, the Uradeyama float offers a chimaki with the divine fortune of safe childbirth.



Kakkyoyama

The Kakkyoyama float is based on an old Chinese tale about filial piety wherein a person called Kakkyo stopped being able to feed his elderly mother and infant child due to poverty. Kakkyo lamented that although they can have more children, they will only ever have one mother. As Kakkyo was about to bury his child, he came upon a golden iron pot. This chimaki is characterized by the golden coin that decorates it as if to get proof of your new found economic fortune.



Koiyama

It is said that in ancient China, a koi fish who was possessed by a spirit transformed into a dragon after climbing the intense rapids of the Ryumon falls and after making it to the top. The Koiyama float features the figure of a giant koi fishing splashing its way up the Ryumon falls. This is a popular chimaki amongst people who, like the koi fish who desperately climbs his way up the rapids of the Ryumon falls, wish to move up in their career. Attached to the Koiyama float’s chimaki is a small Ema (a small plaque used for writing prayers on at shrines and temples).



Aburatenjinyama

The reason for this float's divine favor being academic success lies in the statue of a Shinto god who was worshipped at a small shrine in a town called Kazehaya-cho that sits inside the shrine on the float. This god of the shrine’s name is Sugawara no Michizane, and he has been worshipped as the god of learning in Japan since ancient times. Sugawara no Michizane is also connected to a tale about the plum flower, so this chimaki features a cute little plum flower on it too. For the same reason, another float, the Araretenjiyama float, also features a plum flower on its chimaki too (this contains the divine favor of protection against fire and lightning).



Hoshoyama

The Hoshoyama float is based on the Heian Period love story of a man called Hirai Yasumasa and Izumi Shikibu. The float features a massive figure of Yasumasa running away with a red plum blossom branch which he supposedly took from the Shinshin-den Hall (a hard to get into place made for important imperial events) for his beloved Izumi Shikibu. Because of this figure, the float has also come to be called “Hananusubito-yama” or “the float of the flower bandit.” As Yasumasa is said to have shown his love by stealing the red plum branch, this float has come to have the divine favor of success in relationships. As it relates to the anecdote from the story, this float’s chimaki also features a decorative plum blossom. The decoration differs from the above-mentioned Aburatenjinyama float’s plum blossom and is also very cute!

The Correct Way of Displaying Chimaki

As mentioned above, chimaki are charms that protect from disease and disaster, so by displaying them, it is believed that your home will be protected diseases and disasters.

That is why they are usually hung on the gates or eaves of entrance ways. For those who might have trouble hanging them on their door or gate, try sticking a hook to the door and displaying the chimaki that way. As the chimaki are considered sacred, it is best not to use anything like a pin or a nail which would directly stick the chimaki on. The chimaki are believed to be most effective when displayed places people often move through.