Location: Naka-Hitane, Chōkai-machi, Yuri-Honjo City Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): June 16 and mid-September Designation: State-Designated Non-Tangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The name of Honkai Bangaku comes from the name of the priest Honkai, a shugen (Buddhist ascetic) of the 17th century who belonged to …
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: Kami-Sendo, Ugo Town Site(s) of performance: Hakusan Shrine, the lion head keeper’s house, and other places in the community Date(s): Mid-April and the days of Obon in August Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The troupe starts from the lion head keeper’s house to Hakusan Shrine with marching music. Once …
Location: Kurobuchi, Higashi-Yuri-machi, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Yasaka Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): January 3, June 15, August 14, and late August Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Kurobuchi Shishimai is a shishimai (lion dance) for the repulsion of evil spirits. It has three numbers: namely, the Sword Dance, House-Entrance Dance, and Creeping …