This delicate Kyō Ningyō 京人形 miniature represents Kikusui-hoko 菊水鉾, one of the famous festival floats of the Gion Festival 祇園祭 in Kyoto. The piece was made by Kotoya Chūbei 小刀屋忠兵衛, a craftsman known for producing finely detailed Kyoto-style folk dolls and festival miniatures.
The figure recreates the elegant form of the Kikusui-hoko float, which appears in the grand Yamaboko Junko procession held each July during the Gion Festival—one of Japan’s most celebrated traditional festivals, with origins dating back over a thousand years. The float is named after the “Kikusui” (chrysanthemum water) motif, symbolizing longevity and purity in classical Japanese culture.
Despite its small size, the miniature carefully captures the essential features of the festival float. The structure is mounted on four wooden wheels and decorated with woven textures and painted details. A tall central pole rises above the roof, topped with a small ornamental piece, reflecting the towering presence of the real festival float. Tiny decorative elements and figures attached to the sides evoke the lively atmosphere of the procession.
