On July 5, 2024, the Naginata Hoko (Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City), which leads the Yamahoko Procession (July 17th) of the Gion Festival (Sakimatsuri), held the "Kippu-iri" ceremony to mark the start of the Shinto rituals. The "Taihei Dance", which is performed on top of the Hoko during the procession, was performed by a young boy, Masamoto Nishikawa (11 years old), leaning out of a window on the second floor of the Naginata Hoko Town Hall.
The Taihei Dance was performed by young boy Masamoto Nishikawa, wearing a peacock feather crown and a light purple long-sleeved kimono with a crane pattern. As the music reverberated, he danced leisurely, stretching his body back and forth and side to side, overlooking Shijo Street from the second floor.
A crowd of people with cameras gathered near the town hall, and they applauded. Children's dancer Nishikawa Masamoto said, "I'm glad we were able to do our best until the end. I'd like to reach out more during the actual performance and perform without any mistakes."
