図1 今年の斎王代は神戸大文学部２年の太田梨紗子さん。振袖姿が素晴らしい！！鈍く光る高価な西陣織に負けない雰囲気が漂う。
Figure 1. This year Saio-dai, Ota Risako, 2nd years of Kobe University, Faculty of Literature, was elected. Long-sleeved kimono figure is great ! ! Her atmosphere does not lose an expensive Nishijin shining.
京都三大祭のトップを飾る葵祭（５月１５日）のヒロイン、第５９代斎王代に１４日、京菓子製造の老舗「老松」の当主、太田達（とおる）さん（５７）の長女で神戸大文学部２年の太田梨紗子さん（２０）が選ばれた。市内で記者会見に臨んだ梨紗子さんは、薄紫に雪輪模様の振り袖姿。緊張した表情ながらも「あこがれだった斎王代に選ばれ、夢が現実になった」と喜び、「厳粛な気持ちで、身を引き締めて神事をおつとめしたい」と決意を語った。梨紗子さんは美術史学専攻で研究者を志望。演劇研究会に所属し、今様をたしなむ。兄の侑馬（ゆうま）さん（２５）は平成１１年の祇園祭で長刀鉾の稚児を務めた。斎王代はかつて神社に仕えた未婚の内親王「斎王」の代理。京都ゆかりの一般の未婚女性から毎年推薦で選ばれ、行列では十二単姿で輿に乗る。
The 14th of this month, eldest daughter of the family head, Ota Toru(57), long-established Kyoto confectionery production, " Oimatsu " , was elected to heroine ( May 15 ) of the 59th Saioh-dai of Aoi Festival, topping three great festivals of Kyoto. Ota Risako is 2nd years Kobe U., Faculty of Literature (20). Risako who face the press conference in the city , long-sleeved kimono appearance of snowflake pattern in pale purple(Fig. 1). She was willing, " to be chosen Saio-dai, longing dream, and has become reality ," and despite a strained look, told her decision " in a solemn feeling I want to strive my ritual by tightening the body " she said. Risako is aspiring researcher in art history major. She belongs to a theater study group, and trying to do "Imayou". Her brother (Yuma)( we could say Jack Robinson ) ( 25) served as a bronc of Naginata-boko in the Gion Festival of 1999. Saio-dai surrogate princess unmarried and served to the shrine once. It is chosen each year by recommendation from unmarried women related generally to Kyoto. On festival she will be riding a sedan chair in ceremonial dress figure(twelve weared kimono) in the sedan chair.
