The "Shasan-no-Gi" was held solemnly at Yasaka Shrine in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, on July 13. In this ritual, the "Chigo," or sacred child for the Naginata Hoko, which is the lead float in the Gion Festival's Yamahoko procession, goes to worship at Yasaka Shrine to be endowed with "Kami-no-Tsukai," or a messenger of deities.

The Chigo received "Sugimamori," or a talisman wrapped with a leaf of sacred Japanese cedar, from Yasaka Shrine to become the holy child. At the same time, he was entitled with feudal lord status of the fifth major rank, having "Ju-mangoku," or a fief yielding 100,000 "goku" of rice in the ritual called "Okuraimorai," or bestowal of honorary status.

At 10:00 a.m., this year's Chigo, Yutaro Imanishi, from Sakyo Ward, "Kamuro," his two assistants and a group of officers of "Naginata Hoko Hozonkai," the preservation group of the Naginata Hoko float, started out from the community hall in Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. Imanishi was dressed in a costume with a golden "Tate-eboshi" cap and "Suikan" jacket. He proceeded to Yasaka Shrine riding a white horse.

On the way, Imanishi was offered congratulations on Shijo Ohashi Bridge by a representative of "Miyamotogumi," the organization of Yasaka Shrine's parishioners of which Imanishi is a member.

After reaching the shrine, he performed his role in the ritual at the main hall. He then left the temple precincts on the shoulders of "Goriki," or a man of great strength.