Location: Yagiyama, Kami-Kawauchi, Chōkai-machi, Yuri-Honjo City
Site(s) of performance: Fudo Shrine, the community hall, and other places in the community
Date(s): 2nd Sunday of June
Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
The name of Honkai Bangaku comes from the name of 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 (in the former Yashima Town). Honkai Bangaku consists of shishimai (lion dances) and bangaku with some religious (shugendo) gestures. Dancers and musicians take part in the performance. The script includes only 3 numbers, but 12 numbers have been passed down to date, including the Gojōshi, Torimai (Bird Dance), Shinobu-Tarō, Gojō-Bridge, Soga Brothers, Tōgorō, Rashōmon, Hataori, Mikagura, Yasagi-Shishi, and Jingū-Jishi.

About Shishimai and Bangaku