Photo= Yusa Shirai was selected as Saio-dai (Kyoto Heian Hotel, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

Yusa Shirai, a company employee from Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, was selected as the 60th "Saio-dai," or heroine of the Aoi Festival, one of the three major Kyoto festivals, which will be held on May 15. The "Aoi-Matsuri Gyoretsu Hozonkai," or Aoi Festival procession conservation group, made the announcement on April 10.

Shirai is the eldest daughter of Osamu and Yuka Shirai. Mr. Shirai is the executive chairman of "Shirai Electronics Industrial Co., Ltd.," an electronics components manufacturer based in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. She went on to Nihon University from Notre Dame Jogakuin Senior High School, and after working as a sales representative for a temporary-employment agency, joined Skymark Airlines. She lives in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, and works as a flight attendant on the airlines' domestic flights. Her hobby is playing the clarinet. Her cooking skill is such that she can make all the traditional New Year's food by hand.

Dressed in a gorgeous floral pattern kimono, Shirai said at the press conference in a hotel in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, "I feel truly happy and also more honored than I deserve. I think that the Saio-dai, as well as a flight attendant, smiles in welcome to everyone, so I would like to perform my duty with a smile as usual, without being tense."

The Saio-dai is modeled on "Saio," a Heian Period imperial princess who served both the Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines, and the role was revived in 1956.