July 15, 1999. Yoiyama, Gion Festival, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture. The "kon-chiki-chin" sound of the bell is the high light of the Gion Festival, which signals the arrival of summer to Kyoto. The sacred rites of the Gion Festival of the Yasaka Shrine, that continues for a month was nearing its climax with the Yamaboko junko festival carts being pulled through the streets on the 17th. On the 10th, the 32 festival carts with halberds atop them are built and many street stalls are prepared around the Yamaboko carts on the eve of the festival, which is called Yoiyama. You can enjoy seeing the exhibited treasures of each town and climb up onto the halberds on the eve.

	Naginata boko, the long halberd of the first festival cart. During Yoiyama Eve, the halberd is lit up. The cloths draped around the carts are carpets from the 18th century.		Candle. The town girls sing the words of the old Kyoto children's song, "If you have faith, light a candle and go home."
	"Chimaki" or rice dumpling, which is wrapped in bamboo leaves, is sold at each festival cart as charms against bad luck. People hang this chimaki in the entry of their house and pray for good health. They will replace the chimaki with a new one next year.		The huge halberd is built by lashing together beams of wood with knots and rope without using a single nail. The method of wrapping the rope is truly artistic!