Ayatokunaka Shrine (Minami Ward, Kyoto City) announced on June 15, 2024 that it has chosen 5th grader Komada Soushi (11 years old) from Ikenoue Elementary School in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, to be the "Kuze Komagata Chigo", who will lead the mikoshi (portable shrine) on horseback during the Gion Festival's Shinko Festival (July 17) and Kanko Festival (July 24). In principle, two students have been selected up until now, but due to the effects of the declining birthrate and other factors, only one student will be selected this year.
Komada Soushi attended the dedication ceremony held in the shrine grounds on this day. After attending the ceremony, while being watched by his father, company employee Komada Tadashi (41 years old) from Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and grandfather Komada Tadashi (71 years old) from Minami Ward, Kyoto City, who both played the role of Kuze Komagata Chigo at the age of 8, he said, "This time, I have the responsibility to take on everything on my own, so I'm even more nervous."
The Kuze Komagata Chigo are selected from among the parishioners of Ayato Kunaka Shrine, which has a deep connection to Yasaka Shrine. During the Shinko Festival and Kanko Festival, they wear a horse-shaped carving called "Komagata" and walk in front of the mikoshi.
