京都には、日本三大祭りの祇園祭があります。
祇園祭の期間中は、日本各地からさまざまな人がお越しになり、
一年で最も賑わっております。

祇園祭は869年に災厄除去のために行われたのが始まりです。
鉾に悪霊を移し宿らせることで、穢れを祓うことが出来るそうです。

錦や海外のタペストリーで装飾された鉾と山は、
動く美術館とも言われています。

是非、はなやかな京都のお祭りをご覧くださいませ。

Gion Festival

The Gion Festival, one of the most famous festivals in Japan, is held in Kyoto during the month of July. Many people visit Kyoto from all over the world to see it, especially from July 14 to July 17. This is Kyoto’s busiest time of year.

In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence. To halt the epidemic, 66 halberds representing the 66 provinces of old Japan were erected at Shinsen-en, and evil spirits possessed them, so disaster was successfully prevented.
In 970, the festival became an annual event.

A highlight of the festival is the 32 floats called Yamaboko. The largest eight are decorated with centuries-old brocades and tapestries; sometimes they are described as “mobile art museums.” All the floats parade along the main streets of Kyoto on July 17.

七月七日は織姫と彦星が一年で唯一出会える日です。

一年に　一夜と思へど　七夕の　逢ひ見む秋の　かぎりなきかな
(織姫と彦星が会えるのは、一年にたったの一晩だけど、
二人が会い続けるこの秋は、未来永劫いつまでも続くんだなぁ。)
紀貫之の有名な俳句です。

嵐山店では、七夕の趣向のお料理をお出しして、
お客様に短冊を書いていただき、
松尾大社の七夕まつりでおおさめしております。

短冊に書いた皆様の願いが叶うことを願っています。

Tanabata

“Tanabata,” the Japanese star festival, is celebrated in early summer. According to Chinese legend, long ago a god separated Vega and Altair, a pair of stars that were lovers. The only chance they have to see each is once a year on the night of July 7.
On that day, people write out their wishes on paper strips and hang them on bamboo. It is believed that wishes hung this way will come true.
Many poems have been inspired by the Tanabata legend, such as this one by the famous poet of ancient times, Ki no Tsurayuki. (By the old lunar calendar, Tanabata was an autumn festival.)

Only one night a year
they are allowed to meet,
at Tanabata--
but the autumn returns
every year without cease

At Kitcho, chiefs prepare special dishes related to Tanabata.
Our customers write their wishes on paper strips, and we place them in nearby Matsuo shrine hoping their dreams will come true.