Location: Matsubara, Shirasawa, Odate City
Site(s) of performance: Yama Shrine, the cemetery, and the open space in front of Matsubara Community Center
Date(s): May 12 and August 13
Category: Sasara and Horse Dance
This lion dance is a dance of three lions (two males and one female), each performed by one person. At the time of the present survey, two types of dances were practiced: namely, lion dances in the strict sense and stick dances. As for lion dances, they execute 1) the performance of appearance (Bukkomi), 2) the Makka Dance to appease the spirits of the ancestors, 3) the Hashi-Watashi dance to describe travel to a peaceful place, 4) the Lion-Fight Dance, where the two male lions compete over the female lion, and finally 5) the Flower Dance to express gratitude. Music is played only with drums and Japanese flutes.
