Sasara and Horse Dance (Koma-Odori)

Hitachinai Lion Dance

Location: Ani-Hitachinai, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Hitachinai Shrine and the Hitachinai Community Cemetery Date(s): August 14 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance In the early 17th century, when Lord Satake was reassigned from Hitachi-Ōta (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to the domain of Akita, lower-class samurais performed a lion dance to …

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Arase Lion Dance

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 …

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Yamada Lion Dance

Location: Yamada, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Hachiman Shrine, Tōunji, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the lion dance of Yamada is believed to go back to the dance performed during the long journey of Lord Satake Yoshinobu …

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Jōshū-Kudaru Lion Dance

Location: Kotsunagi, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro 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 When Lord Satake was relegated from Hitachi Province (in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, some people performed a kind of dance which later became the lion …

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Jōshū-Kudaru Ontomo Sasara

Location: Dōji, Ōgita, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: various places in the community Date(s): August 13, 14, 17, and 20 Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance According to legends here, when Lord Satake was moved from Hitachi-Ōta (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, a lower-class samurai danced to entertain …

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Kiriishi Sasara Dance

Location: Kiriishi, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: The cemetery, the lion head’s guardian’s house, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 14 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance When Lord Satake was relegated from Hitachi Province (in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, some people …

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