Location: Higashiyuri-Kurobuchi, Yurihonjo City
Site(s) of performance: Mitake Shrine, the lion head’s keeper’s house, and other places in the community
Date(s): late July and August 7 and 14 (no longer performed as of the time of the survey conducted in fiscal year 2020)
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
The Chikanosawa Bangaku consists of a lion dance and bangaku dance that are performed as an offering at the annual festival of Mitake Shrine. On the evening before the festival, the Chikanosawa Bangaku is performed on a temporary stage set up in the shrine. At the Obon in August, the lion performers go around the community and dance to repel evil spirits. The lion head’s keepership is assumed by the administrator of Mitake Shrine. At the Obon, the lion dance is first performed in the lion head’s keeper’s house and then the lion dancer visits other houses in the community and other deities in the community as well. The Chikanosawa Bangaku will finish close to the end of the night.

About Shishimai and Bangaku