Author Yuichi Koyama (a managing director of Koyama Dental Manufacturing) holds the post of Nenban at present. 30 Nenban aer chosen from the Ujiko, or 11 town assemblies. from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first day of the Reitaisai Summer Festival, the 30 Nenban carry a lion mask through the townships in what is called the ' Shishijunko ' cerremony. The lion symbolizes the purification of evil spirits. The route they take covers about 60 kilometers during the course of the day.

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