Location: Ani-Maeda, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The Ani-Maeda Shishi-Dance (Ani-Maeda Lion Dance) is said to originate from the dances that were played during the journey of Lord Satake Yoshinobu from Mito (present-day Ibaraki prefecture) to Akita …
Location: Urata, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Genshōji Temple, Urata Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The horse dance at Urata used to have two styles. One was brought from Noshiro by raftsmen of Yoneshiro River and the other from the mountainous area of Gojome and …
Location: Arase, Ani, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the Arase Lion Dance goes back at least to the Edo era. It was interrupted by the great famine of 1832, but was fully revived …
Location: Kawaguchi, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 14 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The lion dance of Kawaguchi consists of the lion dance itself and a yakko dance. There used to be a stick dance in addition. These dances were brought to Akita in 1602 when …
Location: Shirasawa, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 14 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the Shirasawa Lion Dance is believed to go back to a dance brought to Akita by Lord Satake’s escorts when he was reassigned to Akita and made a long …
Location: Kami-Isagosawa, Kami-Iwakawa, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The origin of Kami-Isagosawa Bangaku is unclear, but it is said that it was practiced already in the 17th century. It is also said that this bangaku belongs to the same group as Nekko Bangaku …
Location: Tenno, Katagami City Site(s) of performance: Kagura Hall of Tōko-Yasaka Shrine Date(s): July 6 Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property (Tōko-Yasaka Shrine’s Tonin Festival) Category: Shishimai and Bangaku It is said that there were two large groups of bangaku on the Oga peninsula north and south of Mt. Kanpū. However, the practice of …
Location: Fukumezawa, Oga City Site(s) of performance: The cemetery and other places in the community Date(s): August 16 Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Taiko-Furyū and Matsuri-Bayashi Taiko bayashi (drum music) is played at the Bon rituals of Fukumezawa. This Bon ritual was practiced already in the 17th century. The Bon festival is held …
Location: Kemanai, Towada, Kazuno City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 21-23 Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Bon Dance This Bon dance is performed to see off the spirits of the ancestors. The Dai-no-saka dance is performed with big drums and Japanese flutes. The Jinku dance is performed …
Location: Hata, Nikaho City Site(s) of performance: The household in charge and other places in the community Date(s): 4th Sunday of May Category: Furyū Shagiri is a lively Shinto festival with music and dance. At Hata Inari Shrine’s annual festival, the mikoshi (divine palanquin) is moved on the day of pre-festival to the household in …