Location: A district in Odate City (Omachi District in 2011)
Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community
Date(s): September 10 and 11
Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi
Ōdate Bayashi is a parade of music and music floats, performed at the annual festival of Odate Shinmei Shrine. From the early 17th century onward, Odate was governed by a member of the Satake Family, who moved from Hitachi-Ōta to Akita under the order of the Tokugawa government. Music was played during the long journey to Akita and was established as a tradition at Odate. The music is said to be of Kyoto style, and that the city managers and other leaders of the town sent young people to study in Kyoto. Music is played by drums, shamisen (three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instruments), gongs, and Japanese flutes. Dancers often dance with fans.
