Shishimai and Bangaku

Kairagefuchi Bangaku

Location: Kairagefuchi, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: Kairagefuchi Shinmei Shrine Date(s): August 13 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku According to legend, Kairagefuchi Bangaku was initiated by the survivors of the Taira family after their defeat in the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. It thus has much in common with Nekko Bangaku, which was also founded by …

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Daino Bangaku

Location: Iwase-Daino, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Inari Shrine Date(s): January 1 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Daino Bangaku is performed as an offering at Inari Shrine, the main shrine of the community, on the first day of January. It is said to have started in the Edo era when …

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Mugurazawa Shishimai

Location: Kurobuchi, Higashiyuri-machi, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Gokoku Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and September 1 (the dates of performance had become irregular by the time of the survey conducted in fiscal year 2020.) Category: Shishimai and Bangaku This shishimai (lion dance) of Mugurazawa was practiced by the local …

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Sakanoshita BangakuLocation:Sakanoshita, Yashima-machi, Yurihonjo City

Site(s) of performance: Kumano Shrine and Sakanoshita Bangaku Center Date(s): January 23 (opening day), April 14 (Kumano Shrine Spring Festival), August 13 and 14, and December 12 (closing day) Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The shishimai (lion dance) at Sakanoshita belongs to the school of Honkai Shishimai. As Sakanoshita Bangaku, …

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Yashiki Bangaku

Location: Shimoyashiki, Nishisawa, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Bugaku Hall, Kasuga Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): July 1, August 16 and 26, 2nd Sunday of September, and 1st Sunday of December Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku After the Great Famine of Tenmei in 1783 devastated Yashiki Village, …

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Iwaya-Fumoto Shishimai

Location: Iwaya-Fumoto, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): Early January and August 16 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The Iwaya-Fumoto Shishimai derived from the tradition of Shishimai-Bangaku, and there used to be not only a shishimai (lion dance) but also bangaku. Today, however, only the jimai (preparatory dance before the lion …

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Yagisawa Bangaku

Location: Yagisawa, Okita-Omote, Kami-Koani Village Site(s) of performance: various places in the community Date(s): August 14 and end of September Designation: Village-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Yagisawa Bangaku opens on August 14 and closes with one last performance in late September just before the rice harvest. In the old days, the …

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Kami-Isagosawa Bangaku

Location: Kami-Isagosawa, Kami-Iwakawa, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku The origin of Kami-Isagosawa Bangaku is unclear, but it is said that it was practiced already in the 17th century. It is also said that this bangaku belongs to the same group as Nekko Bangaku …

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Oga Bangaku

Location: Tenno, Katagami City Site(s) of performance: Kagura Hall of Tōko-Yasaka Shrine Date(s): July 6 Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property (Tōko-Yasaka Shrine’s Tonin Festival) Category: Shishimai and Bangaku It is said that there were two large groups of bangaku on the Oga peninsula north and south of Mt. Kanpū. However, the practice of …

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Nekko Bangaku

Location: Ani-Nekko, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Ani Civic Hall Nekko Annex Date(s): August 14 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural PropertyAccording to the legend, Nekko Bangaku was brought here by the losers of the Battle of Gempei in the late 12th century. Nekko Bangaku has a script of excellent quality …

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