The Gion Festival, one of Japan's three major festivals, kicked off on July 1, 2024. At Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, the ''Chigo'' of the Naginata-hoko, who leads the Yamahoko procession (July 17) of the Sakimatsuri (first festival), participated in the "Osendo Ceremony" and prayed for the safety of the festival.

Children participating in the "Osen-do Ceremony" (July 1, Yasaka Shrine, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

Around 10 a.m., ''Chigo'' Nishikawa Masaki (11 years old), wearing rouge on his face and bright vermilion hakama, entered the main hall through the Minami-romon Gate with his assistants Nishibuchi Kazuto (8 years old) and Ogawa Mondo (7 years old). In a solemn atmosphere, he reported to the altar that he would be playing the role of a chigo.

The "Kippu-iri" Shinto ritual was held at the meeting place of the Kan'yaboko Preservation Society (July 1st, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City)

Afterwards, while sheltering from the rain with a large Japanese umbrella, he circled the main hall three times clockwise with about 30 members of the Naginata-hoko Preservation Society, praying reverently with his hands together.

In addition, in the Yamahoko towns such as the Kanko Hoko, a ''Kippu-iri'' ceremony was held to mark the start of the religious ceremony.