Kikusui Boko: A Float Steeped in Tradition, Tea, and Eternal Youth

Kikusui Boko is more than a float—it’s a narrative in motion, where legend, artistry, and ceremony meet. From its poetic origins in myth and tea tradition to its sensory invitation of matcha amid summer’s haze, Kikusui Boko reminds us that festivals such as Gion are powerful keepers of cultural memory.

1. Kikusui Boko: A Float Steeped in Tradition, Tea, and
Eternal Youth
Hidden within the grandeur of the Saki Matsuri procession—Kyoto’s early July spectacle—lies a
float brimming with poetic resonance: Kikusui Boko, or the "Chrysanthemum Dew" float.​
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A Legend Carved Into a Float
The name "Kikusui" (菊水) carries layers of cultural meaning. It draws from both a Chinese
legend and the Japanese Noh drama Kiku Jidō, where a mystical dew collected from
chrysanthemum leaves—inscribed with the Lotus Sutra—grants the gift of eternal youthi. This
symbolism is woven in intricate detail across the float’s design, with chrysanthemum emblems
adorning key elements like the wheel hubs.
The story takes root in 16th-century Kyoto, when the esteemed tea master Takeno Jōō, a
student of tea-ceremony pioneer Sen no Rikyu, built a small hut next to a remarkably
sweet-water well. Inspired by the legend, he named the well “Kikusui,” and that name passed
on to the float This connection between chado (tea ceremony) and spiritual narrative forms the
heart of the float’s identity.
A Community Tradition and Daily Ritual
Every year during Yoiyama nights (July 13–16), Kikusui Boko serves more than visual
splendour—it’s a living tea room. Visitors can step inside a cool, air-conditioned display area to
savor matcha and a sweet, prepared by Urasenke tea masters and their students. For a small

2. donation, they receive not just refreshment, but also a chrysanthemum-shaped ceramic
dish—and a chance to absorb centuries of tea tradition set beside this historic float .
Trial by Fire—And Renewal
Like many historic floats, Kikusui Boko hasn’t always stood unwavering. It was consumed in the
devastating 1864 festival fire but returned after World War II, rising anew in 1953. In a symbol
of hope and renewal, its revival mirrored Kyoto’s resilience in the post-war era.
Final Thoughts
Kikusui Boko is more than a float—it’s a narrative in motion, where legend, artistry, and
ceremony meet. From its poetic origins in myth and tea tradition to its sensory invitation of
matcha amid summer’s haze, Kikusui Boko reminds us that festivals such as Gion are powerful
keepers of cultural memory.
If your heart leans toward stories, craftsmanship, or the quiet magic of tradition, make time for
Kikusui Boko during the Saki Matsuri. It’s where Kyoto’s grace and depth come to life—one
chrysanthemum at a time. Visit :
https://www.gionfestival.org/yamaboko-floats/saki-matsuri/kikusui-boko/