[Events at the Pottery Warehouse] Mashiko Gion Festival 2023
[Mashiko Gion Festival]
The 2023 Mashiko Gion Festival was held from July 23rd to 25th. 
The Mashiko Gion Festival is said to have begun around 1705 (the 2nd year of the Hoei era) when an epidemic broke out, causing people to lose their lives and crops to be infested with pests. A festival was held based on Tenno faith to appease the vengeful spirits and the epidemic.
The period is set to be from July 23rd to 25th every year, regardless of the day of the week.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's ceremony was held as usual for the first time in four years. 
Prewar castle district floats 
Jonai-zaka before the pavement (the pottery storehouse is on the right)
On July 23rd, the Togyo Festival is held, in which a divided spirit is carried from Yasaka Shrine to the temporary residence of the town (neighborhood association) on duty that year in a portable shrine from the main shrine.
The procession is led by Sarutahiko Okami, wearing a red Tengu mask and high clogs with one tooth, and travels to the castle area.
Procession Festival
This year's duty town was the castle area where the pottery storehouse is located, and the pottery storehouse served as the temporary building. 
Procession Festival
In the evening, a hand-held fireworks display was held by the Shimotsuke Hand-held Fireworks Association. 
Source: Mashiko Town Tourism Association
On July 24th, the sacred sake ceremony, a ritual that has been held since the Edo period and is considered one of the three most unusual festivals in the Kanto region, was held in the Japanese-style room of the pottery storehouse.
As men wearing haori and hakama take over the town on duty, a Shinto ritual is held in which 10 people drink three cups of hot sake, each measuring 3.5 sho (approx. 6.5 go). (This ritual has now been simplified.) 
Sacred sake reception ceremony
In the evening, floats and floats from the six neighborhoods gathered at the temporary pottery storehouse, and people from each neighborhood paid their respects. 
Shinmachi Food Stalls 
Tamachi Food Stalls 
Uchimachi Food Stalls
On the final day, July 25th, the portable shrine will be returned from the temporary shrine to Yasaka Shrine in a ceremony called the "Return Festival." 
Return festival
At night, the floats and floats from each neighborhood parade through the town, concluding with a final ritual called "Ojoran."
This year, for the first time in 13 years, we served as the town's temporary storehouse at the pottery storehouse. The next time we serve as the temporary storehouse at the pottery storehouse will be more than 10 years from now.
Next year's Gion Festival will be held from July 23rd to 25th, 2024. Please come and see it.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers due to the closure of parking lots during the Gion Festival.
The parking lot will be open as usual from July 26th.
We look forward to your visit.
