Hakurakuten Yama – Zen Teaching Takes the Streets of Kyoto

Amid the vibrant colours, soaring floats and lively crowds of the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto lies a quiet moment of depth: the float known as Hakurakuten Yama. Found in the Saki Matsuri procession (July 10–17), this float captures a scene of Buddhist philosophy in motion.

What It Depicts

On the float you’ll see the Chinese Zen master Dōrin (also known as Daolin) perched in a pine tree — a playful reference to Zen’s unconventional wisdom. He is shown addressing the famed Tang-dynasty poet Bai Letian (Hakurakuten), who asks, “What’s the essential meaning of Buddhist teaching?” Dōrin replies simply, “Commit no evil, do good deeds.” When the poet responds that “even a three-year-old knows this!”, Dōrin’s retort is quietly profound: “A three‐year‐old may know it, but even eighty‐year-olds can’t do it.” 

Why It Matters

This float is a gentle counterpoint to many of the bolder, more flamboyant floats in the festival. It emphasises introspection, moral action, and the lived challenge of wisdom rather than spectacle alone. The story tells us that knowing is easy, doing is hard—and that’s a message that resonates as you tour Kyoto’s streets.

A Living Legacy

Hakurakuten Yama has endured despite adversity. It survived the devastating fires of 1788 and 1864 and continues to be a testimony to community resilience. In its display are precious textiles — including a depiction of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven woven by a Japanese artisan in the early 20th century — reminding us that this float is not just ritual, but also art and heritage