The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • News
  • Chigo Performs "Shimenawa-giri" Splendidly
    Gion Festival's Naginata-hoko

    17 July 2014 - Sightseeing/Events
    Photo= Masato Hirai confidently performs his important duty, "Shimenawa-giri" (July 17, Fuyacho, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Photo= Masato Hirai confidently performs his important duty, "Shimenawa-giri" (July 17, Fuyacho, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto)

    In the midsummer sunlight, spectators' eyes filled with keen interest focused on the hands of the "Chigo," or sacred child. The "Shimenawa-giri" ritual of Gion Festival's Naginata-hoko Float, or cutting of the sacred plaited rope, which is the highlight of the Yamahoko Junko float procession, was held on July 17 in Fuyacho, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. When Masato Hirai, this year's Chigo, powerfully cut the sacred straw, as if breaking a thread of tension, spectators roared with excitement and erupted into applause along the street.

    "I want to feel the float really moving." It was just over a month ago that he was appointed this year's "Chigo" and innocently expressed his hopes along with his one-year-older "Kamuro," or assistants. Following that, a ritual of adoption to welcome this Year's "Chigo" into Naginata-hoko Town was held. From July, he has been fulfilling shrine rituals and other events in the town almost every day.

    Though still a little boy, he has developed a sense of responsibility day by day as strong pressure presses on his small shoulders. "He gets tired. Sometimes he showed a little selfishness." said his father, Seiichi Hirai, president of Nishiri, a pickled vegetables company in Kyoto. Nevertheless, with an awareness of being a servant of the gods, he paid the closest attention to his movements in the rituals at the shrine and conducted himself bravely. His parents also felt this situation showed the solid growth of their child.

    Under the benevolent watch of many people, he successfully met this day. After the "Shimenawa-giri" ritual finished, the Naginata-hoko float started to move again with its wheels squeaking. Kiyo Hirai, his mother, gazed at the float and proudly followed its lead with her eyes, saying, "He realizes that everybody is supporting him and will repay the obligation someday."

    (translated by Galileo, Inc.)
  • Also in Sightseeing/Events:

    Fortieth Anniversary in New York, Taste Loved by "Queen of Punk"
    "OMEN" of Kyoto Origin Pursues the Joy of Japanese Cuisine Across Borders
    22 February 2022

    Glowing Noctilucae turn seaside town more scenic north of Kyoto
    26 May 2021

    Kyoto Ranked World's Most Popular City for First Time
    Tokyo, Last Year's Top, Falls to Sixth
    22 January 2021

    Relic of "Great Ruler Mitsuhide"
    Fukuchiyama Castle
    22 January 2021

    Through a Russet Tunnel
    Row of Metasequoia Trees Undamaged from Typhoons
    22 January 2021

News Archive
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • May 2021
  • January 2021
  • August 2020
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2022 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy