Gion Festival begins in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Masato Hirai (front) takes part in the "Osendo no Gi" ritual to pray for the safety and success of Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival) at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto City on July 1, 2014, as the month-long summer festival opened the same day. Hirai was selected as "Chigo," the poster boy who rides on the leading "Naginatahoko" float during the "Yamahoko Jungyo" parade in the festival.