Location: Takao, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Kinpō Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): January 3, 3rd Sunday of July, and August 15 and 16 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The shishimai (lion dance) of Takao is the dance of a lion from Kinpō Shrine. According to legends, when the priest Zezan-Taikaku of Akata-Chōkoku …
Location: Matsukidai, Saimyoji, Nishiki-machi, Semboku City Site(s) of performance: Kamasugi Shrine Date(s): September 16 (the evening before the annual festival of the shrine) (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2012) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Katano Bangaku is a mountain ascetics’ bangaku that was practiced …
Location: Motoki, Nishimonai-Horimawari, Ugo Town Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 14 Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku It is called shishimai, but in fact it includes bangaku dance. The numbers passed down to date include a shinzen (offering-to-gods) dance with a fan in …
Location: Sawauchi, Kawabe, Yashima-machi, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Hisumi Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and December 31 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The lion head is believed to be the lion of Hiyoshi Shrine. In the old days, there was also bangaku dance, but there were no masks, clothes, or …
Location: Mukai-Takko, Shimo-Iwakawa, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Mukai-Takko Community Center Date(s): August 13 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The bangaku at Mukai-Takko started when a priest, a former shugen ascetic, of Hibiki Village (in the former Futatsui Town) was invited here in 1854 so that young people could learn bangaku. The bangaku of Hibiki Village …
Location: Takamatsu, Yuzawa City Site(s) of performance: Kamiji Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): July 6 in the lunar calendar and August also in the lunar calendar (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2012) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Since the early …
Location: Koiji, Babame, Gojome Town, Site(s) of performance: Gojome Shinmei Shrine Date(s): 3rd Saturday of May (Gojome Bangaku Performance Event at the annual festival of Shinmei Shrine) (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2012) Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The Koiji Bangaku used to be …
Location: Okurazawa, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 14 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The origin of the lion head is unclear, but it is said to be the work of the priest Zezan-Taikaku of Akata-Chōkokuji Temple. The lion head is sculpted with a rough touch. On the upper palate …
Location: Iseiji, Nikaho City Site(s) of performance: Enmei-Jizōson Temple Date(s): July 23 and August 26 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku This bangaku belongs to the school of Honkai Bangaku and is of the same characteristics as the bangaku performed in the communities around Mt. Chōkai. The main performance is given in the prayer hall of Enmei-Jizōson …
Location: Yokooka, Kisakata-machi, Nikaho City Site(s) of performance: Yokooka Community Hall Date(s): January 1 and 2, a day in June, July 1, August 13 and 15, and September 1 Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku This is the bangaku of Yokooka (former Kisakata Town) and was also called Yokooka Shishimai or …