Kyoto's Gion Festival: A Social History

This book explores the long history of Japan's most prestigious and influential festival, the Gion festival, from its origins in the late 10th century to its post-war revival. It reveals how different groups have adapted the festival to suit their own ends, shedding light on the development of Japanese festival culture and offering a window into Kyoto's history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of Japan's most renowned and influential festival, the Kyotos Gion festival. Spanning a millennium of history, it unravels the origins of this festival in the late 10th century, tracing its evolution from its humble beginnings to its post-war revival. Drawing upon a wealth of Japanese historical studies, archival materials, and firsthand participant observation fieldwork, the author offers a comprehensive exploration of this festival's past.

Through meticulous research, the book sheds light on the social and political networks that have sustained the Gion festival for over a millennium. It reveals how different groups have adapted and repurposed this costly enterprise at various historical junctures, finding new purposes and adapting it to suit their own ends. This insightful examination reveals the festival's enduring spirit and its ability to reinvent itself, making it a testament to the dynamic nature of Japanese festival culture.

Moreover, the history of the Gion festival provides a valuable window into Kyotos history, offering a glimpse into the city's cultural and historical development. It serves as a testing ground for recent festival theory, contributing to our understanding of the role of festivals in shaping society culture and society.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Japan's cultural heritage, festival culture, or the history of Kyotos. It offers a captivating journey through time, illuminating the enduring significance of the Gion festival and its role in shaping Japanese society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350229921