This is the lead wagon (I'm not sure they actually called them "wagons", but "float" doesn't seem right either) in the Gion Festival parade. We lined up near the first corner of the parade along with several thousand other people to watch these wagons come down the street pulled by about 40 men. The most interesting part of their slow progression through the streets of Kyoto is how they turn the corners. The wheel/axle mechanism on these wagons have no provisions for turning. Thus, to make the tight corners of city streets, they have to pull the wagon into the intersection and onto a number of bamboo poles. Then the 40 or so men pulling the wagons move off in the direction they would like to go. At the signal from the two men at the front of the wagon, they pull. The bamboo poles act as roller bearings and the wagon's direction is changed. The whole process is repeated 2 or 3 times to make a 90 degree turn.
Here's a view of the top of one of these Gion Festival wagons. There were two people on the roof. As far I could tell, these people had no identifiable tasks to accomplish. The day was sunny and probably 30+ degrees Celsius. I was hot, sweaty and thirsty after watching 6 or 7 of these wagons go by. There were 28 more of them scheduled to appear.
The contents of one of the Gion Festival wagons. These men would pull on the ropes dangling over the side. Each rope had a bell attached to it. The bells, some chanting and some other unidentifiable wind instrument provided the music in the parade.
Back
to home page