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Kitakyushu hosts the Gion Festivals. The Gion Matsuri, also known as Gion Goryoe ("service for souls'), started in 859 AD when there was an epidemic in Kyoto .
The celebration was meant to purify the area by putting up 66 hoko or spear carts, each one representing a province of Japan . Today, the hefty hoko can weigh as much as 10 tons, and is made of two stories and carry musicians. It is pulled around by 50 men. Joining the parade are the smaller sized yama or mountains is pulled around on hidden wheels and feature life-size images of deities and mythological characters.
Offerings and prayers are offered at the Yasaka Shrine, which was dedicated to the god of health, Gavagriva or Gozu Tenno. Locally, Gozu Tenno is identified with Susunaoo nu Mikoto, the brother of the Sun goddess Amaterasu. Today, the shrine is more known to be dedicated to him, along with his consort and a number of their children.
The Gion Matsuri officially starts on July 17 with the parade of festival carts, but events and activities are actually held at the Yasaka Shrine the whole month.
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