Location: Obonai, Tazawako, Semboku City
Site(s) of performance: Anywhere
Date(s): Anytime
Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Show (Misemono) and Music Entertainment
Okamoto Shinnai (the Okamoto School of Shinnai Dance and Music) was established at the turn of the 18th century by Okamoto Miyako Dayū, who achieved a high level of artistic perfection, especially in the categories of tragic love songs and travel songs. Okamoto Shinnai was performed especially by geisha/geiko in upper class entertainment houses. It was brought along the Omono River to the port town of Obonai and was popularized in the mid-19th century.
