Crowdfunding Launched to Preserve Kyoto's Traditional Events and Performing Arts, Including Kurama Fire Festival and Gion Festival

THE KYOTO Crowdfunding (operated by The Kyoto Shimbun) is promoting a crowdfunding project by the Kyoto City Tourism Association.

Kyoto, which served as the capital for over a thousand years, is home to rich traditional events and performing arts that are still passed down today, such as the Kurayuba Shinji (horseback archery ritual), Ryubu, Keiba Shinji, Kurama Fire Festival, Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi (sending off of the dead fires), and the Gion Festival. However, due to declining birthrates, depopulation, and changing attitudes towards cultural inheritance, passing these traditions to the next generation is becoming increasingly difficult each year, leading to situations where events are scaled down or canceled. The association has conducted crowdfunding for the past two years, and the warm support received from many individuals has been used as grants for the activities of various organizations.

However, support has not reached all organizations. To provide grants to preservation societies that train successors and to create opportunities for wider public interest, we are conducting crowdfunding again this year.

[Donation-based] Kurayuba Shinji, Kurama Fire Festival, Gion Festival ~Preserving Kyoto's Traditional Events and Performing Arts for the Future~ 2026

THE KYOTO Crowdfunding Site

URL: https://the-kyoto.en-jine.com/projects/omatsuri2026

[Crowdfunding Overview]

About the Kyoto City Tourism Association

Since its establishment in 1969, the Kyoto City Tourism Association has been consistently involved in the protection and dissemination of tangible and intangible cultural assets cherished within the region. The association typically solicits donations from corporations and individuals nationwide, using these funds to provide grants for expenses related to major events such as the Aoi Festival, Gion Festival, Jidai Festival, and Gozan no Okuribi, as well as for shrine and temple repairs, and for expenses and equipment repairs related to local traditional events and performing arts.

Severe Current State of Traditional Events and Performing Arts

In Kyoto City, there are over 60 intangible folk cultural properties and important intangible folk cultural properties designated or registered by the national government, Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City. More than 80 preservation groups (including preservation societies and associations that have ceased activities) are active in their respective fields.

Acquiring the skills for traditional events and performing arts takes time and effort. Learning how to wear costumes, the movements of performances, procuring materials, and preparing the stage are all experiences gained annually within the community. Once this continuity is broken, reviving it requires significant effort. A stable foundation for succession is essential, but the current situation faces difficulties.

For example, in the Yasurai Hana, a Furyu Odori (folk dance) registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, performed in the spring in the northern part of Kyoto City, the "Imamiya Yasurai-kai," which preserves and passes down "Imamiya Yasurai," is having trouble obtaining waraji (straw sandals), especially for children.

The waraji for Yasurai are traditionally called "Ashinaka" (half-foot), about half the size of a person's foot, and are difficult for adults to wear. They are even more difficult for children to wear and tend to get crushed.

In the past, waraji made in fertile farming areas like Tanba Town in northern Kyoto Prefecture were used. However, due to the mechanization of rice harvesting and the aging of the local population, it has become difficult to obtain rice straw, the material for waraji. While struggling to obtain waraji, they learned of someone making waraji on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. As it also supports the recovery of the Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area, they began commissioning production. However, due to the distance from Kyoto, the costs remain high.

The preservation and succession of traditional events and performing arts are supported by the unpaid activities of preservation society members who also have jobs and families. Each preservation society is small in scale and struggles with fundraising. If this continues, the local "treasures" that have been protected for so long may disappear.

We hope that this crowdfunding campaign will serve as an opportunity for many people to learn about the various challenges and to think together about solutions.

Period and Goal

Campaign Period: July 2, 2026 (Thu) 00:00 - September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

Target Amount: 2.5 million yen

Featured Returns

[Limited to 20 people on May 5, 2027] Viewing of Fujimori Shrine Kurayuba Shinji

The Kurayuba Shinji is said to depict Prince Sawara, who, in response to a rebellion in Mutsu, received an imperial order as the conquering general and prayed at Fujimori Shrine before setting out. In the Muromachi period, guards competed in various skills, and in the Edo period, samurai from Fushimi Bugyosho and martial arts instructors from various domains, as well as townspeople, competed in numerous techniques. In the Meiji era, it was passed down to the parishioners of Fujimori Shrine and is dedicated as the Kurayuba Shinji at the Fujimori Festival (Fukakusa Festival) held every year on May 5th. On the day, you can watch either the 13:00 or 15:00 session from the preservation society's invitation area.

[Limited to 2 pairs on October 22, 2026] Kurama Fire Festival Pair Invitation (Application deadline: September 18)

According to legend, the Kurama Fire Festival originated in the Heian period when Emperor Suzaku, concerned about the unrest caused by the rise of samurai such as Taira no Masakado's rebellion, invited Yuki Daimyojin, who was enshrined in the Imperial Palace, to the village of Kurama, north of the palace. At that time, villagers tied reeds from the Kamo River to create torches and bonfires to welcome the procession of the deity's relocation.

Held on October 22nd as the annual festival of Yuki Shrine, from dusk, villagers from children to adults parade through the village holding torches, and as night deepens, a large torch welcomes the deity riding in a portable shrine. This invitation to the Kurama Fire Festival viewing seats includes dinner, a photo album, and a hand torch. You can witness the magnificent festival up close from a special viewing space, not the usual viewing route.

[Limited to 20 sets] Yase Shamenchi Odori Set

The Shamenchi Odori is performed annually in October in the Yase area. Boys dressed in women's attire carry kiriko lanterns decorated with intricate paper cutouts on their heads and proceed in a line from the village to Akimoto Shrine. A set of handmade paper cutouts and tenugui (hand towels) will be delivered.

For other returns and more details, please check the crowdfunding site.

About THE KYOTO Crowdfunding

THE KYOTO Crowdfunding is operated by The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd.

Operating Organization: The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd.

Representative: Yusuke Onishi, President and Representative Director

Address: ONEST Kyoto Karasuma Square, Kyoto Shimbun, 634 Nana-kannon-cho, Rokkaku-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Phone: 075-241-5831

Email: [email protected]