Location: Sarukura, Chokai-machi, Yurihonjo City
Site(s) of performance: The community hall and other places in the community
Date(s): August 15
Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
This is a combination of shishimai and bangaku, which used to be called shishimai (lion dance) as a whole. The name of Honkai Bangaku comes from the priest Honkai, a shugen (Buddhist ascetic) of the 17th century who belonged to a temple affiliated with Sampō-in in Kyoto in the Daigo Temple group. He taught bangaku in the villages in the distant parts of the Chōkai area and died in Arasawa (former Yashima Town). For him and his followers, it was an important part of their worship of Mt. Chokai.

About Shishimai and Bangaku