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Gion Matsuri Dragons: Energy, Enlightenment, Elements & Emperors

A textile showing a blue dragon amidst water and lightning, from the Gion Festival's Minami Kannon Yama float.

Dragons appear all throughout Kyoto’s ancient Gion Matsuri. Why are there so many dragons, appearing on so many different levels of the festival? What purpose do they serve? Are they symbols, or specific dragons known in culture and history? To find out, watch the YouTube video recording or read the blogified transcript below.