While Halloween in Shibuya might get lots of attention because of the massive crowds (and chaos), Kyoto has an annual yokai parade that sure looks like spooky fun.
The parade, which was held this year on October 19, is called Ichijo Hyakki Yakou (Ichijo’s Night Parade of the Hundred Yokai). The street Ichijodori, one of the biggest in Kyoto, was said to separate the real world from the spirit one.
百鬼夜行が想像以上に怖すぎた(°Д°)(°Д°)(°Д°)
クオリティ高すぎぃ！(*´Д`)#一条百鬼夜行 pic.twitter.com/MjsqyoJSyU— ありさ丸 (@kahiya) October 19, 2019
念願の、一条通りでの百鬼夜行を見ることができました！(前半)#一条百鬼夜行 pic.twitter.com/Fa9Zjet5MK
— いろは@着道楽 (@sai_coordinate) October 19, 2019
Tales of yokai night parades date back over a thousand years. During the Heian Era (794-1185), samurai carried charms to avoid crossing paths with the yokai.
その行列に出会うと死んでしまうかもしれないよ？#一条百鬼夜行 #モノノケ市 pic.twitter.com/ab3uJoQD9S
— ならさん/10/26三条会商店街ハロパ悪役連合 (@NkzyRnrmtC) October 19, 2019
我が地元で年に一度開催される妖怪パレード。かつての百鬼夜行の舞台とされる通りだけあって、妖怪ウォッチなんて甘いものではなく本物志向。大人の方が楽しめるかも知れない。泣き叫ぶ子供もおります…笑#一条百鬼夜行 #モノノケ市 #大将軍商店街 #京都 pic.twitter.com/xXqcuD9sgl
— Keiichiro Yasugi / 矢杉佳一郎 (@KeiichiroYASUGI) October 19, 2019
百鬼夜行
友人の子どもたちが恐ろしさに泣き叫んでいました????????????#一条百鬼夜行 #モノノケ市 pic.twitter.com/m09UKLbnr8— 月から来たモップ (@mopfromthemoon) October 19, 2019
There are various legends about Hyakki Yakou and there are other yokai parades held in Japan. However, in Kyoto, the story goes that unwanted household items were dumped in the vicinity.
These household items got angry, and a deity turned them into yokai to seek their vengeance. The yokai then marched down the street, and the event is recreated in this annual parade in the Ichijodori’s Taishogun shopping section, which is now known as Yokai Street.
While the story of Hyakki Yakou dates back to at least the 9th century, the current parade has been revitalised since 2005.
Throughout the year, the street is decorated with yokai.
This certainly seems more enjoyable than the Halloween chaos in Shibuya!
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