Location: Higahi-Yurishuku
Site(s) of performance: Mitake Shrine and other places in the community
Date(s): August 13
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
This shishimai (lion dance) belongs to the school of Honkai Shishimai. There used to be a shitamai (pre-dance) before the shishimai and sword dances and fan dances after. Only the shishimai has been passed down to date. There used to be strict rules about the starting and closing of the dancing season during the year, but it is performed today only on August 13 in any case. On that day in the afternoon, the performers first dance at the shrine as a divine offering, then go around the community to dance at individual houses’ entrances, and finally dance again at the shrine. The two dances at the shrine are now considered the starting dance and closing dance.

About Shishimai and Bangaku