Location: Urata, Kita-Akita City
Site(s) of performance: Genshōji Temple, Urata Shrine, and other places in the community
Date(s): August 13
Category: Sasara and Horse Dance
The horse dance at Urata used to have two styles. One was brought from Noshiro by raftsmen of Yoneshiro River and the other from the mountainous area of Gojome and Kami-Koani. Over the course of time, the differences between the two styles were lost and now they together make up the Lion Dance of Urata. Despite the name Lion Dance of Urata, not only the lion dance but also a yakko dance (samurai servants’ dance), horse dance, and stick dances are performed.
