The Chigo for the Naginata Hoko float, Daisuke Shirai (center), and the Kamuro, his assistants, Yushi Yamashiro (right) and Shinichiro Uno (left) (3:15 p.m., June 7, Naginata Hoko Hozonkai, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

The children who will play the roles of "Chigo," or a sacred child, and "Kamuro," or his assistant, were announced by the "Naginata Hoko Hozonkai," the Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, based preservation group of the Gion Festival Naginata Hoko float, on June 7. The lead position in the Yamahoko procession of the Gion Festival, on July 17, is held by the Naginata Hoko float.

The Chigo is Daisuke Shirai from Fushimi Ward, a fourth grader at Doshisha Elementary School. He is the second son of Yukio Shirai, the president of a medical oxygen manufacturing and distribution company. Two years ago, his brother, who is three years older than he, played the role of Chigo, while he participated as a Kamuro. Daisuke is looking forward to cutting the "shimenawa," or sacred rope, because he remembers his brother looking "really cool" as he did that. He enthusiastically said, "I want to lean further over the float than my brother did."

One of the two Kamuro is Yushi Yamashiro from Kita Ward, a fourth grader also at Doshisha Elementary and the oldest son of the president of a printing firm. The other is Shinichiro Uno from Kamigyo Ward, a third grader at the same school and the first son of Motonobu Uno, the president of a tea utensils sales company.

Yushi, who belongs to the school's mini-orchestra along with Daisuke, said, "I want to support the Chigo so that he can do his best." Shinichiro said with a smile on his face, "I am looking forward to everyone watching the dance on the float." The three children will take part in the procession after participating in other rites such as "Osendo-no-gi" held on July 1.