祇園祭を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・関連情報・10の質問を通して、祇園祭に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報は以下の通りです。
- 祇園祭の概要:
- 開催時期: 祇園祭は毎年7月に京都で開催
- 歴史: 869年に始まり、1100年以上の歴史がある
- 起源: 八坂神社で疫病退散を祈るために始まった
- 主要なイベント:
- 山鉾巡行: 7月17日と24日に行われる大規模なパレードで、美しく装飾された山鉾（やまぼこ）が登場する
- 宵山: 7月14日から16日に行われる前夜祭で、山鉾がライトアップされる
- 神輿巡行: 八坂神社の神輿が街を巡るイベント
- 山鉾（やまぼこ）について:
- 種類: 山（神話や歴史上の人物を飾る）と鉾（長い槍を飾る）の二種類
- 装飾: 絹や金箔を使って豪華に装飾
- ユネスコ無形文化遺産:
- 祇園祭は「日本の山・鉾・屋台行事」の一部としてユネスコ無形文化遺産に登録
- 日本三大祭り:
- 祇園祭は東京の神田祭、大阪の天神祭と共に、日本三大祭りの一つ
2人が京都の祇園祭について話しています。
祇園祭の歴史、主な行事の山鉾巡行、宵山、ユネスコ無形文化遺産や日本三大祭のことなどを話題にしています。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, did you know the Gion Festival is in July?
Yes, I’ve heard about it. It’s one of Kyoto’s biggest events, right?
Exactly. It has over 1100 years of history, starting back in 869 AD. It began as a way to pray to the gods at Yasaka Shrine to stop a plague.
That’s fascinating. What are the main events during the festival?
The biggest events are the Yamaboko Junko parades on July 17 and 24. They feature these huge, beautifully decorated floats called Yamaboko.
What’s special about these floats?
There are two types of floats: Yama, which often have figures from myths or history, and Hoko, which have tall spears. They’re incredibly detailed and covered in silk and gold.
I see. I also heard there’s an evening festival?
Yes, that’s Yoiyama, from July 14 to 16. The floats are lit up at night, and it’s a great time to walk around and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Sounds amazing. Is the Gion Festival recognized internationally?
Yes, it’s part of the “Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan,” which are listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition highlights its cultural importance.
That’s impressive. What else can you do at the festival?
Besides watching the parades, you can enjoy traditional music and dance, and there are many food stalls. It’s a great way to experience Japanese culture.
Have you been to the festival before?
Not yet, but I’m really interested in going this year. I’ve heard that getting there early is key to finding a good spot to watch the parades.
That makes sense. Kyoto must be packed with tourists during the festival.
Definitely. It’s one of Japan’s three great festivals, along with the Kanda Festival in Tokyo and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka.
Thanks for the info, Mack. I think I’ll join you this year. It sounds like a fantastic experience.
I’m glad to hear that! Let’s make sure we prepare well and enjoy the Gion Festival to the fullest.
関連情報 / related information
「祇園祭」について、理解を深めるための「英語での関連情報」です。
祇園祭
Overview
The Gion Festival is a famous festival in Kyoto, Japan. It happens every July and has over 1100 years of history. The festival began in 869 AD to pray at Yasaka Shrine to stop a plague. Now, it is one of Japan’s biggest and most important festivals.
Main Events
The Gion Festival has many events, but the most famous are the Yamaboko Junko parades on July 17 and 24. In these parades, people pull large, beautifully decorated floats through the streets of Kyoto. Another important event is Yoiyama, from July 14 to 16, where the floats are lit up at night. There are also Mikoshi processions where portable shrines are carried through the city.
Yamaboko Floats
There are two types of floats in the Gion Festival: Yama and Hoko. Yama floats have figures from myths or history, and Hoko floats have tall spears. These floats are decorated with silk and gold, making them very beautiful and impressive.
Cultural Significance
The Gion Festival is not only fun but also important culturally. It is part of the “Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan,” which are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival shows the strong community spirit in Kyoto, as local people work together to prepare and manage the events.
Japan’s Three Great Festivals
The Gion Festival is one of Japan’s three great festivals. The other two are the Kanda Festival in Tokyo and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka. These festivals are famous throughout Japan and attract many tourists every year.
10の質問 / 10 questions
「祇園祭」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is the Gion Festival?
The Gion Festival is a traditional Japanese festival held every July in Kyoto. It has over 1100 years of history and is one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
2: Why did the Gion Festival start?
The Gion Festival started in 869 AD to pray for protection from a plague that was spreading in Kyoto at that time.
3: What is the main event of the Gion Festival?
The main event of the Gion Festival is the Yamaboko Junko, which is a parade of large, beautifully decorated floats that are pulled through the streets of Kyoto.
4: What are Yamaboko floats?
Yamaboko floats are traditional festival floats used in the Gion Festival. There are two types: Yama floats, which have figures from myths, and Hoko floats, which have tall spears.
5: When does the Yamaboko Junko parade take place?
The Yamaboko Junko parade takes place on July 17 and 24 as part of the Gion Festival.
6: What is Yoiyama in the Gion Festival?
Yoiyama is an evening festival held from July 14 to 16, where the Yamaboko floats are lit up at night, and people enjoy walking around the festival area.
7: How is the Gion Festival recognized internationally?
The Gion Festival is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage because of its cultural importance and long history.
8: What is the significance of the Gion Festival?
The Gion Festival is important because it reflects Kyoto's rich cultural history and community spirit, as local people work together to prepare for the event.
9: What other festivals are part of Japan’s three great festivals?
Japan’s three great festivals are the Gion Festival in Kyoto, the Kanda Festival in Tokyo, and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka.
10: How can visitors enjoy the Gion Festival?
Visitors can enjoy the Gion Festival by watching the parades, attending the evening events, exploring the food stalls, and experiencing traditional music and dance.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, did you know the Gion Festival is in July?
ねえ、キー、祇園祭が7月にあるって知ってた？
Yes, I’ve heard about it. It’s one of Kyoto’s biggest events, right?
うん、聞いたことがあるよ。京都の一番大きなイベントの一つだよね？
Exactly. It has over 1100 years of history, starting back in 869 AD. It began as a way to pray to the gods at Yasaka Shrine to stop a plague.
そうなんだ。869年に始まり、1100年以上の歴史があるんだ。八坂神社で疫病を鎮めるために神々に祈ることから始まったんだよ。
That’s fascinating. What are the main events during the festival?
それは面白いね。祭りの主なイベントは何？
The biggest events are the Yamaboko Junko parades on July 17 and 24. They feature these huge, beautifully decorated floats called Yamaboko.
一番大きなイベントは7月17日と24日の山鉾巡行だよ。巨大で美しく装飾された山鉾と呼ばれる山車が登場するんだ。
What’s special about these floats?
その山車は何が特別なの？
There are two types of floats: Yama, which often have figures from myths or history, and Hoko, which have tall spears. They’re incredibly detailed and covered in silk and gold.
山車には二つの種類があって、神話や歴史上の人物が飾られた「山」と、長い槍を持つ「鉾」があるんだ。絹や金で覆われていて、非常に細かく装飾されているよ。
I see. I also heard there’s an evening festival?
なるほど。夜のお祭りもあるって聞いたけど？
Yes, that’s Yoiyama, from July 14 to 16. The floats are lit up at night, and it’s a great time to walk around and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
うん、それが宵山で、7月14日から16日までの期間だよ。夜になると山鉾がライトアップされて、歩き回って祭りの雰囲気を楽しむのに最適な時間なんだ。
Sounds amazing. Is the Gion Festival recognized internationally?
素晴らしいね。祇園祭は国際的にも認められているの？
Yes, it’s part of the “Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan,” which are listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition highlights its cultural importance.
そうだよ。「日本の山・鉾・屋台行事」の一部としてユネスコの無形文化遺産に登録されているんだ。この認定は祭りの文化的な重要性を強調しているんだよ。
That’s impressive. What else can you do at the festival?
それはすごいね。他には祭りで何ができるの？
Besides watching the parades, you can enjoy traditional music and dance, and there are many food stalls. It’s a great way to experience Japanese culture.
パレードを見るだけでなく、伝統的な音楽や踊りを楽しんだり、多くの屋台もあるよ。日本の文化を体験する素晴らしい方法だよ。
Have you been to the festival before?
君はこれまでに祭りに行ったことがあるの？
Not yet, but I’m really interested in going this year. I’ve heard that getting there early is key to finding a good spot to watch the parades.
まだないけど、今年は本当に行きたいと思っているんだ。早めに行くことが良い場所を確保する鍵だって聞いたよ。
That makes sense. Kyoto must be packed with tourists during the festival.
それは納得だね。祭りの間、京都は観光客でいっぱいだろうね。
Definitely. It’s one of Japan’s three great festivals, along with the Kanda Festival in Tokyo and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka.
その通り。東京の神田祭や大阪の天神祭と並んで、日本の三大祭りの一つなんだ。
Thanks for the info, Mack. I think I’ll join you this year. It sounds like a fantastic experience.
情報ありがとう、マック。今年は一緒に行こうかな。素晴らしい体験になりそうだね。
I’m glad to hear that! Let’s make sure we prepare well and enjoy the Gion Festival to the fullest.
それは嬉しいな！しっかり準備して、祇園祭を存分に楽しもうね。
関連情報 / related information
祇園祭
Overview
The Gion Festival is a famous festival in Kyoto, Japan. It happens every July and has over 1100 years of history. The festival began in 869 AD to pray at Yasaka Shrine to stop a plague. Now, it is one of Japan’s biggest and most important festivals.
祇園祭は、日本の京都で開催される有名な祭りです。毎年7月に行われ、1100年以上の歴史があります。この祭りは869年に、疫病を鎮めるために八坂神社で祈ることから始まりました。現在では、日本で最も大きく重要な祭りの一つです。
Main Events
The Gion Festival has many events, but the most famous are the Yamaboko Junko parades on July 17 and 24. In these parades, people pull large, beautifully decorated floats through the streets of Kyoto. Another important event is Yoiyama, from July 14 to 16, where the floats are lit up at night. There are also Mikoshi processions where portable shrines are carried through the city.
祇園祭には多くのイベントがありますが、最も有名なのは7月17日と24日に行われる山鉾巡行です。このパレードでは、人々が大きく美しく装飾された山鉾を京都の街を引いて進みます。もう一つの重要なイベントは、7月14日から16日の宵山で、夜には山鉾がライトアップされます。また、神輿が街を巡る神輿巡行もあります。
Yamaboko Floats
There are two types of floats in the Gion Festival: Yama and Hoko. Yama floats have figures from myths or history, and Hoko floats have tall spears. These floats are decorated with silk and gold, making them very beautiful and impressive.
祇園祭の山鉾には二つの種類があります：「山」と「鉾」です。山鉾には神話や歴史上の人物の像が飾られ、鉾には長い槍が飾られています。これらの山鉾は絹や金で装飾されており、とても美しく印象的です。
Cultural Significance
The Gion Festival is not only fun but also important culturally. It is part of the “Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan,” which are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival shows the strong community spirit in Kyoto, as local people work together to prepare and manage the events.
祇園祭は楽しいだけでなく、文化的にも重要です。ユネスコ無形文化遺産として認定された「日本の山・鉾・屋台行事」の一部です。この祭りは、地元の人々が協力してイベントを準備し運営することで、京都の強い地域社会の精神を示しています。
Japan’s Three Great Festivals
The Gion Festival is one of Japan’s three great festivals. The other two are the Kanda Festival in Tokyo and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka. These festivals are famous throughout Japan and attract many tourists every year.
祇園祭は日本の三大祭りの一つです。残りの二つは東京の神田祭と大阪の天神祭です。これらの祭りは日本中で有名で、毎年多くの観光客を魅了しています。
10の質問 / 10 questions
1: What is the Gion Festival?
祇園祭とは何ですか？
The Gion Festival is a traditional Japanese festival held every July in Kyoto. It has over 1100 years of history and is one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
祇園祭は毎年7月に京都で開催される日本の伝統的な祭りです。1100年以上の歴史があり、日本で最も有名な祭りの一つです。
2: Why did the Gion Festival start?
祇園祭はなぜ始まったのですか？
The Gion Festival started in 869 AD to pray for protection from a plague that was spreading in Kyoto at that time.
祇園祭は869年に、当時京都で広がっていた疫病からの守護を祈るために始まりました。
3: What is the main event of the Gion Festival?
祇園祭の主なイベントは何ですか？
The main event of the Gion Festival is the Yamaboko Junko, which is a parade of large, beautifully decorated floats that are pulled through the streets of Kyoto.
祇園祭の主なイベントは山鉾巡行で、美しく装飾された大きな山鉾が京都の街を引いて進むパレードです。
4: What are Yamaboko floats?
山鉾とは何ですか？
Yamaboko floats are traditional festival floats used in the Gion Festival. There are two types: Yama floats, which have figures from myths, and Hoko floats, which have tall spears.
山鉾は祇園祭で使用される伝統的な山車です。神話の人物が飾られた「山」と、長い槍が飾られた「鉾」の二種類があります。
5: When does the Yamaboko Junko parade take place?
山鉾巡行はいつ行われますか？
The Yamaboko Junko parade takes place on July 17 and 24 as part of the Gion Festival.
山鉾巡行は祇園祭の一環として、7月17日と24日に行われます。
6: What is Yoiyama in the Gion Festival?
祇園祭の宵山とは何ですか？
Yoiyama is an evening festival held from July 14 to 16, where the Yamaboko floats are lit up at night, and people enjoy walking around the festival area.
宵山は7月14日から16日に行われる夜祭で、山鉾が夜にライトアップされ、祭り会場を散策しながら楽しめます。
7: How is the Gion Festival recognized internationally?
祇園祭は国際的にどのように認識されていますか？
The Gion Festival is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage because of its cultural importance and long history.
祇園祭はその文化的な重要性と長い歴史により、ユネスコの無形文化遺産として認められています。
8: What is the significance of the Gion Festival?
祇園祭の重要性は何ですか？
The Gion Festival is important because it reflects Kyoto's rich cultural history and community spirit, as local people work together to prepare for the event.
祇園祭は、京都の豊かな文化的歴史と地域の結束力を反映しているため重要です。地元の人々が協力して祭りの準備をします。
9: What other festivals are part of Japan’s three great festivals?
日本三大祭りの他の祭りは何ですか？
Japan’s three great festivals are the Gion Festival in Kyoto, the Kanda Festival in Tokyo, and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka.
日本三大祭りは、京都の祇園祭、東京の神田祭、大阪の天神祭です。
10: How can visitors enjoy the Gion Festival?
祇園祭はどのように楽しめますか？
Visitors can enjoy the Gion Festival by watching the parades, attending the evening events, exploring the food stalls, and experiencing traditional music and dance.
観光客はパレードを見たり、夜祭に参加したり、屋台を巡ったり、伝統的な音楽や踊りを楽しむことで祇園祭を満喫できます。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
plague : 名詞
意味: 疫病、伝染病。A contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever and delirium, typically with the formation of buboes and sometimes infection of the lungs.
（祇園祭が869年に疫病退散を祈るために始まった）
例文：
1.The plague spread rapidly through the city.
「その疫病は街中に急速に広がりました。」
2.Many people died during the plague.
「多くの人がその疫病で亡くなりました。」
3.The Gion Festival started to pray for protection from a plague.
「祇園祭は疫病からの守護を祈るために始まりました。」
float : 名詞
意味: 浮かぶもの、山車。Decorated vehicles or platforms that are part of a parade.
（祇園祭の山鉾巡行に登場する美しく装飾された山鉾を指す）
例文：
1.The floats in the parade were beautifully decorated.
「パレードの山車は美しく装飾されていました。」
2.Children enjoyed watching the colorful floats.
「子供たちは色とりどりの山車を見るのを楽しみました。」
3.The festival features large floats pulled through the streets.
「祭りでは街を引いて進む大きな山車が特徴です。」
spear : 名詞
意味: 槍。A weapon with a pointed tip, typically of steel, and a long shaft, used for thrusting or throwing.
（祇園祭の鉾には長い槍が飾られている）
例文：
1.The soldiers carried spears into battle.
「兵士たちは戦闘に槍を持って行きました。」
2.Ancient hunters used spears to catch animals.
「古代の狩人たちは動物を捕まえるために槍を使いました。」
3.Hoko floats are decorated with tall spears.
「鉾は長い槍で装飾されています。」
intangible : 形容詞
意味: 形のない、無形の。Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence.
（祇園祭はユネスコの無形文化遺産に登録されている）
例文：
1.Love is an intangible feeling.
「愛は形のない感情です。」
2.The company values intangible assets like goodwill.
「その会社は好意のような無形資産を重視しています。」
3.The Gion Festival is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
「祇園祭はユネスコの無形文化遺産として認められています。」
packed : 形容詞
意味: ぎっしり詰まった、満員の。Completely filled with people or things.
（祇園祭の間、京都が観光客でいっぱいになる）
例文：
1.The theater was packed with fans.
「劇場はファンで満員でした。」
2.The streets were packed during the festival.
「祭りの間、通りは人でいっぱいでした。」
3.Kyoto is packed with tourists during the Gion Festival.
「祇園祭の間、京都は観光客でいっぱいです。」