Site(s) of performance: Kumano Shrine and Sakanoshita Bangaku Center
Date(s): January 23 (opening day), April 14 (Kumano Shrine Spring Festival), August 13 and 14, and December 12 (closing day)
Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
The shishimai (lion dance) at Sakanoshita belongs to the school of Honkai Shishimai. As Sakanoshita Bangaku, it has 19 numbers in total, which are mostly shishimai dances. It is one of the oldest bangaku in the region, and Tōshi Bangaku (former Nikaho Town) was derived from here. As many movements require a bent posture, it is believed that it is because Priest Honkai established Honkai Bangaku when he was already very old and bent with age. The most important characteristic of Sakanoshita Bangaku is the contrast between primary dances and secondary dances: The primary dances have slow claps and movements, but the secondary dances take faster rhythms and are performed with less formality.

About Shishimai and Bangaku