Location: Tomine, Tobune, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City
Site(s) of performance: Atago Shrine and the open space in front of it
Date(s): July 23 and Sunday before Elderly Day (3rd Monday of September)
Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
According to legend, Tomine Hōtoku Bangaku was brought here in 1793 from Kawai Village (in the former Aikawa Town). The Ani River connected the upstream village of Tomine with the downstream village of Kawai and raftsmen moved back and forth between the two villages. What happened in reality was perhaps that someone from Tobune Village visited Kawai Village to learn the dance. The music is played with drums, Japanese flutes, gongs, and wooden hand clappers (hyōshigi). The wooden hand clappers are struck against the stage.

About Shishimai and Bangaku