BACK TO LIST
LIST OF CONTENTS
Mifune matsuri
The Mifune matsuri is the festival of Kurumazaki shrine in Kyoto. It is observed annually on the third Sunday of May and the central feature of the festival is a boat procession recalling the colourful boating excursions of the Kyoto court in the Heian period. Two types of boat take part in the procession : one with the bow in the shape of a dragon and the other with the bow in the shape of a bird's head. Musicians with wind and string instruments play on the former and an ancient dance called karyobin is performed on the latter. The festival also includes a parade of chigo pages in costumes, and special exhibitions.