Location: Ouchi-Sankawa, Yurihonjo City
Site(s) of performance: Hachiman Shrine, the house of the shrine’s administrator, and other places in the community
Date(s): August 14
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
The Sankawa Lion Dance is a lion dance bangaku under the influence of priest Zezan-Taikaku of Akata-Chōkokuji Temple. While the Honkai School of Bangaku has both a lion dance (shishimai) and bangaku dance, the community of Sankawa inherited only the lion dance. It was brought here at the beginning of the Showa period (1926–1989) from Iwaya-Fumoto (in the former Ouchi Town). It had a Divine Dance and also the lion dance in the strict sense. Music is played with drums, Japanese flutes, and gongs. They are generally rather gentle dances.

About Shishimai and Bangaku