On July 2, the "kuji-drawing ceremony," which determines the order of the Yamaboko procession, the highlight of the Gion Festival, was held at the Kyoto City Assembly Hall in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. The kuji-drawing ceremony is said to have started in 1500, when the Yamaboko procession was revived after the Onin War, in order to avoid a battle for the lead. Of the 34 floats in total, 10 are "kuji-torinashi," which means that their order is determined by custom. In a solemn atmosphere, representatives of the remaining 24 floats took the stage and drew lots in the order of the preliminary lots.
In the Yamaboko Junko procession of the Mae Festival on July 17, the "Yamaichiban" following Naginataboko, the first float in the procession, will be Aburatenjinyama, and in the Yamaboko Junko procession of the Goto Festival on July 24, the "Kuroshushi" following Hashibenkei and Kita-kannonyama, the first floats in the procession, will be Kuroshushi Kuroshushi Mountain.

Look out for the gorgeous floats parading along the Miyakooji Street!