Location: Tokko, Hinai-machi, Odate City
Site(s) of performance: Hinai-machi Folkloric Dance Tradition Hall
Date(s): May 28 on the lunar calendar (annual festival of Dainichi Shrine) [At the time of the survey conducted in fiscal year 2020, it is performed only in the club activities of the local elementary school.]
Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi
The tradition of Tokko Bayashi started when Asari Noriyori, a daimyo in the 16 century, danced a sword dance at the banquet after the construction of his own castle at Tokko. Despite its name, Tokko Bayashi (Tokko Music) includes the particular dance associated with it. On the day before the annual festival of Dainichi Shrine, the performers go around in the town with a music float. Dancers are mostly girls and women. Music is played by big drums, shime-daiko (small high-pitched Japanese drums), Japanese flutes, and shamisen (three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument). Tokko Bayashi has something common with Ōdate Bayashi, but their relations remain unknown.
