2018 Gion Matsuri: The World’s Oldest Urban Festival (Sept 15, 2018 - Nov 04, 2018 / Garden Hours)NEW

Gion Matsuri is a festival for the people, by the people. Named after Yasaka Shrine (known locally as Gion-sha) in the Gion District of Kyoto, it is said to be the oldest continuous urban festival in the world and one of the largest and most elaborate in Japan. Gion Matsuri is more than a thousand years old and has been held in Kyoto since 869. Originally held to appease the gods and scare away the plague during an epidemic, it continues to be a colorful and vibrant celebration that takes over the streets of downtown Kyoto each July.

This exhibition features photographs by one of Kyoto’s top photographers, which will grace the Pavilion and Tanabe Galleries. The Garden’s opening weekend celebration on September 15 and 16 will include a troupe of Gion Bayashi festival musicians from Kyoto performing the unique festival sounds that accompany the procession of floats.

Location: Pavilio Gallery & Tanabe Gallery

Date
Sept 15-16, 2018 - Kyoto muscians will perform.

An exhibition that will take place in the Pavilion and Tanabe galleries. We will have one of the carts that are featured in the yearly festival on display inside the Pavilion, alongside some videos and photos. This is the first time one of these have ever been outside of Japan.

On the opening weekend, there will be performances by musicians on both Saturday and Sunday at 1pm,2pm, and 3pm and will take place in the Courtyard. All of this will be included with garden admission starting this coming Saturday, September 15th.

Time
Garden Hours

Location
Portland Japanese Garden, 611 S.W. Kingston Ave., Portland, OR 97205