Location: Yonaizawa, Kita-Akita City
Site(s) of performance: Yonaizawa Shrine, Ryūenji Temple, and other places in the community
Date(s): August 13
Category: Sasara and Horse Dance
The lion dance at Yonaizawa developed as a prayer for bumper crops. In the late 19th century, youth in the area established an association, Kyōyūkai (Association of Brave Men), and the festival has been organized by that association since then. For this reason, it is now called the Yonaizawa Kyōyūkai Lion Dance. Despite its appellation as a lion dance, the festival includes a yakko dance (samurai servants’ dance), horse dance, and stick dance as well. The lion dance itself is performed by three lions, each performed by one person.
