34 floats from the Gion Festival, reimagined as tea bowls, gather together. The collection exhibition "Gion Matsuri, Meguru." will be held at the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts from July 7th.

The Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, operated by Kyoto Industrial Promotion Center Co., Ltd.) will hold the collection exhibition "Gion Matsuri, Meguru." from Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to Friday, July 31, 2026 (free admission).

The museum's collection includes many craft items inspired by the Gion Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals. This exhibition will feature the "Matcha Bowl Tower," a pyramid-like display of 34 Kiyomizu-yaki tea bowls, each depicting one of the Gion Matsuri floats, for the first time. It will also showcase the charm of the Gion Matsuri through various crafts such as Nishijin-ori textiles, Kyo-Yuzen dyeing, Kyo-sensu fans, and Kyo-shikki lacquerware. During the Gion Matsuri season, why not "go around" the Gion Matsuri depicted in these crafts, alongside the excitement of the float towns?

Highlight 1: First Exhibition "Matcha Bowl Tower" - 34 Floats Gathered as Tea Bowls

34 Raku-yaki matcha bowls, each depicting one of the Gion Matsuri floats, will be displayed in a pyramid-like tower formation. At the apex sits a miniature of the Naginata-boko, which leads the procession. Gazing at each tea bowl will give you the feeling of having completed a full circuit of the float procession.

Highlight 2: "Gion Matsuri" Across Craft Genres - Nishijin-ori, Kyo-Yuzen, Kyo-sensu, and More

A diverse collection of items will be exhibited, including a three-shaku Kyo-sensu fan titled "Rakuchu Rakugai" depicting the lively Gion Matsuri procession on a gold background, as well as Nishijin-ori textiles, Kyo-Yuzen dyeing, Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, Kyo-ningyo dolls, and more. Even with the same Gion Matsuri theme, the appearance changes dramatically depending on the material and technique. Additionally, a video summarizing the Gion Matsuri and its preparations will be screened in the gallery.

Highlight 3: Gion Festival Floats Made of Kyo-Koma Will Greet You at the Entrance

At the entrance, you will be greeted by Gion Festival floats crafted using the traditional Kyoto craft technique of Kyo-Koma (cooperation: Kyokoma Suzukyu). These small floats, made by meticulously winding colorful cotton threads one by one, are craft items that can be displayed and played with, with the top spinning top removable for actual spinning. From the Naginata-boko to the Kamakiri-boko with a praying mantis perched on top, enjoy a charming procession unique to these miniatures. The exhibited items are available for purchase at the museum shop and the MOCAD ONLINE SHOP.

▶ MOCAD ONLINE SHOP

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Title: Collection Exhibition "Gion Matsuri, Meguru." (English Title: Go Around GION MATSURI)

Dates: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - Friday, July 31, 2026 *Closed: Monday, July 13, Monday, July 27

Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Last admission 17:30)

Venue: Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts MOCAD Gallery (B1F, Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe")

Admission: Free

Organizer: Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Kyoto Industrial Promotion Center Co., Ltd.)

Cooperation: Kyokoma Suzukyu

About the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts

The Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts is a museum that introduces 74 types of traditional industries in Kyoto City and their backgrounds, from textiles such as Nishijin-ori and Kyo-Yuzen to various crafts like Kiyomizu-yaki pottery and Kyo-shikki lacquerware. Through videos of the production process and corners where visitors can experience sound, smell, and touch, you can engage not only with the finished products but also with the manufacturing processes and techniques. Daily demonstrations by artisans are held, and the adjacent museum shop offers a wide range of items, from masterpieces utilizing traditional techniques to everyday goods.

Location: B1F, Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe", 9-1 Okazaki Seishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Last admission 17:30)

Admission Fee: General (including university students) 500 yen, Elementary, Junior High, and High School students 400 yen (details on various discounts are available on the official website) *The MOCAD Gallery, the venue for this exhibition, can be visited free of charge.

Official Website: https://kmtc.jp/