Location: Kamimura-Shita, Kami-Koani Village Site(s) of performance: Kumano Shrine Date(s): August 13 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance This dance is performed every year on August 13 at the occasion of Obon (an annual Japanese Buddhist event for commemorating one’s ancestors). As to the origin of the dance here, some say it was first performed by …
Location: Imaizumi, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 14 and 15 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the Imaizumi Horse Dance Festival is unknown. It is said to represent the famous Battle of Kawanakajima between Shingen Takeda and Kenshin Uesugi in the 16th century, but it is …
Location: Izumi-Yōka, Moritake, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): July 1 (opening day), August 13 (prayer for ancestors), and September 1 (closing day) Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The sasara dance of this region consists of a lion dance, stick dance, …
Location: Shitakawara, Hanawa, Kazuno City Site(s) of performance: Inari Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): April 19 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The Shitakawara Horse Dance is performed at Inari Shrine the day before its annual festival. Even though it is called a horse dance performance, in …