The Abura Thunder-Deity Float
The Abura Tenjin float features a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the 9th-century courtly scholar Sugawara Michizane. Inside the shrine is a statue of him that reportedly belonged to a noble family that lived in the float’s neighborhood in the Heian Period (794-1185). This suggests that this neighborhood’s residents have venerated Sugawara for about a thousand years.
In addition to being a talented man of letters, Michizane was a virtuous and influential imperial advisor. He was unjustly slandered and consequently banished from court; though he remained loyal to the emperor, he died in disgraced exile. Thereafter his adversaries suffered mishaps, many of which involved thunderstorms. To appease his spirit, the emperor had him deified as a thunder god, or tenjin. Learn more on the Arare Tenjin Yama page.
This float is located on Abura-Koji street, giving the float the rest of its name.
While many chōnai choose to have replicas made of their antique textiles, Abura Tenjin Yama’s chōnai members undertook considerable research and chose the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry in Cluny, France as the inspiration for new textiles they
Beautiful antique textiles adorn the Abura Tenjin Yama float before the procession on Jul 17, while newer ones are on display in the chōnai treasure display area.
Access free interactive maps with locations and description of all 34 Gion Festival floats, plus procession routes!