Sasara and Horse Dance (Koma-Odori)

Yokosawa Sasara

Location: Yokosawa, Ota-cho, Daisen City Site(s) of performance: Kotohira Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): July 23, August 13, and September 14 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance According to the scroll attesting to its authenticity, the origin of Yokosawa Sasara goes back to 1658. When …

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Okashinai Lion Dance

Location: Okashinai, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: The cemetery, Yamanokami Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 16 (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2011) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance Okashinai Lion Dance is believed to have started in the …

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Kōya Lion Dance

Location: Ani-Koya, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Kōya Shrine Date(s): 3rd Sunday of September (the day of annual festival of Kōya Shrine) (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2011) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance Despite the name of lion dance, the lion dance itself …

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Niiseki Sasara

Location: Okubo-Ushiroyachi, Showa Site(s) of performance: Konan Community Center Date(s): May 4 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The Niiseki Sasara is a kind of lion dance with three lions, each performed by one person. However, it is quite unique in using deer heads instead of lion heads. Blue, green, …

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Wada Sasara

Location: Toyooka, Toyooka-Kinden, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Satomi Shrine Date(s): July 7, August 13–15, and September 1 Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The sasara here means a lion dance, but Wada Sasara also includes stick dances and yakko dances (samurai servants’ dances). It has been performed for a …

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Umenai Horse Dance

Location: Umenai, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: Zentokuji Temple and the open space in front of the community center Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the Umenai Horse Dance is said to go back to 1602, when Lord Satake moved from Hitachi-Ōta (present-day …

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