Gion Shirakawa’s idol, Grey Heron （Aosagi）-O-chan
Yoshie Doi
March 5, 2025 Grey Heron O-chan in front of the Gion |
 White Plum Blossoms in the entrance lobby |
 Hina doll Sashimi |
It had been a while since I had last dined at Gion Shiraume, and I was constantly moved. The landlady’s heartwarming hospitality, the chef’s carefully prepared menu, and even O-chan the Blue Heron, an idol of Gion Shirakawa, peeking into the tatami room on the second floor to welcome me. The nickname “O-chan the Grey Heron” comes from the fact that Grey Herons stand on one leg, which gives the image of a one-legged batting style Mr. Sadaharu O
Apparently, these birds, which normally only eat river fish, are now happily eating sea bream and other seafood. They seem to have become idols in Gion.
The grey heron has been considered an auspicious bird since ancient times, as it has the power of the phoenix. I was impressed to hear that it lives in Gion and is loved by the locals, and that it is a comfortable place to live. Gion is a town of hospitality, and it is an attractive town that attracts not only humans but all living things.
This year, the plum blossoms were late, and it was only on March 11th that the Kyoto Regional Meteorological Observatory declared the plum blossoms to be in bloom. When I visited Gion on March 5th, the proprietress was delighted to hear that the plum blossoms had finally bloomed, and told me that it was the latest to bloom since she became the proprietress. People passing by were also taking pictures of the plum blossoms, and I enjoyed the charming atmosphere in the light rain.
Kyoto’s Hinamatsuri is celebrated according to the old calendar, so decorations are left up until April 3rd. In Gion in particular, decorations are left up until April 3rd, in the hope that the girls will stay in the family business and not get married. Every household in Kyoto celebrates according to the old calendar.
Because it is a festival to ward off evil spirits, when the dolls are put away, they are purified with salt and then taken out of the boxes and displayed next year.
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Translated by Masami Otani
