Location: Usui, Omonogawa-machi, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: Yasaka Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): Sunday in early July Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi This is a folkloric performance art of dance music for the Kashima-Okuri rituals, which is practiced after the rice planting season. Starting from Yasaka Shrine, the principal shrine of the …
Location: Yasawagi, Omori-machi, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: The open space in front of Maeda Community Center and other places in the community Date(s): August 14 and anytime Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The Yasawagi Lion Dance was also called Motoki Bangaku. The Kikuchi Family of Motoki (in the former …
Location: Nakamura, Babame, Gojome Town Site(s) of performance: Gojōme Shinmei Shrine Date(s): 3rd Saturday of May (Gojome Bangaku Performance Event at the annual festival of Shinmei Shrine) Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku According to legend, the origin of this bangaku goes back to the 17th century. The existing bangaku mask …
Location: Higashi-Yotsuya, Taiyu, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): July 20 Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi Throughout the former Age area, including the community of Yotsuya, the Kashima-Okuri Festivals have been held on the same day. Kashima-Okuri is a ritual of prayer for good harvests against insect pests …
Location: Fukai, Omonogawa-machi, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: Kashima Hachiman Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): 3rd Sunday of July Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi This is a folkloric performance art for the Kashima-Okuri rituals. After the rice planting and the first round of weeding, a decorated yatai float (Kashima ship) goes around the …
Location: Yagashiwa, Taiyu, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: Hachiman Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): July 24 Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi This is a folkloric performance art based on the worship of Kashima. After the rice planting and the first round of weeding, a yatai float (Kashima ship) goes around the community with …
Location: Kijita, Jumonji-machi, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: Kashima Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): The day before Marine Day (a national holiday on the 3rd Monday of July) Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi This ritual is performed at the annual festival of Kashima Shrine, where traditional dance music is played. The Kashima is …
Kashima-Okuri and the Kijita-Kitazawa Kashima Shrine Festival Read More »
Location: Kakumagawa-machi, Daisen City Site(s) of performance: Kakumagawa Main Street Date(s): August 16 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Bon Dance This dance is performed on a street, Kakumagawa Main Street, for it was the tradition here to perform the dance in front of the residences of the local landlords: namely, the Hongō family, …
Location: Asamai, Hiraka-machi, Yokote City Site(s) of performance: The street in front of the Hiraka Regional Development Office, Yokote City Date(s): August 18 Category: Bon Dance The Bon dance was brought here by the Kamimura family of the village. The ancestors of the Kamimura family lived at Nabekura (in the former Hiraka Town). After a …
Location: Horiminai, Daisen City Site(s) of performance: Kōsenji Temple and Horio Shrine Date(s): August 7, 13, and 19 and September 7 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the sasara at Horiminai is said to go back sometime before the Edo era (1600–1868), but it is also said …