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There seems to be a Pre-Festival and Late-Festival for the Gion Matsuri Festival, but what is the difference between these two?
Japanese festivals include rites called Kami-mukae and Kami-okuri. These entail welcoming divine spirits and sending them off after the festival has ended. The Mikoshi going from the shrine to the Otabisho is called the "Shinko Festival", and the return from the Otabisho to the shrine is called the "Kanko Festival".
The Gion Matsuri Festival has the same ritual, with the Shinko Festival being held on July 17, and the Kanko Festival being held on July 24. The Yamahoko procession has been held as a precursor to such events. In 1966, the Pre and Late festivals were combined on the 17th, but in 2014, the Late festival was restored on the 24th. In 2014, the Gion Matsuri was restored to its original form, with Yoiyama and the Procession being held seperately. For further information, please check the following.
▼Gion Matsuri Festival "What kind of Festival is it?"
https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/major/gion (English)
▼Gion Matsuri Festival "A Deeper Look"
https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/major/gion/understand.php (only in Japanese)
The Gion Matsuri Festival has the same ritual, with the Shinko Festival being held on July 17, and the Kanko Festival being held on July 24. The Yamahoko procession has been held as a precursor to such events. In 1966, the Pre and Late festivals were combined on the 17th, but in 2014, the Late festival was restored on the 24th. In 2014, the Gion Matsuri was restored to its original form, with Yoiyama and the Procession being held seperately. For further information, please check the following.
▼Gion Matsuri Festival "What kind of Festival is it?"
https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/major/gion (English)
▼Gion Matsuri Festival "A Deeper Look"
https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/major/gion/understand.php (only in Japanese)