Location: Iwaki-Kameda, Yurihonjo City
Site(s) of performance: Kumano Shrine and other places in the community
Date(s): 2nd Saturday and Sunday of July
Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Dai-Kagura
The origin of this kagura is unclear, but according to legend, around the time of the Kumano Shrine’s reconstruction in 1773, Kyōgoku Yojiemon of Shimachi (in the former Iwaki Town) taught the local youth a dance that he learned at Ise when he visited Ise Shrine. As the name Dai-Kagura properly indicates, this kagura belongs to the school of Ise Shishimai Kagura. In this area, shishimai (lion dance) is called kagura and the lion head for the lion dance is also called kagura.

About Dai-Kagura