"As it is believed that the Akita Bayashi served as the original form that was incorporated into the Kanto Festival music (which can be heard at AIU), I was familiar with the rhythm of the drums and surigane cymbals, as well as the sound of the flute."
- Nozomi MIYAMOTO
Originally, Akita Bayashi appears to have been developed as festival music from local folk songs found in nearby areas, such as Toyoiwa (now part of Akita City) and Yotsugoya (now also part of Akita City). Since these local communities still pass down the tradition, the performers gather during this festival to perform it.
It bears a particular resemblance to the Kanto Bayashi, and it is thought that this Akita Bayashi served as the original form incorporated into the Kanto Bayashi.
Yatsuhashi (formerly Akita City) features festival music played on the floats of Hiyoshi Hachiman Shrine's festival procession, a type of festival music. It is a yatai bayashi (festival float music), performed while accompanying the mikoshi (portable shrine) during its procession. It is not performed during the shrine's formal rituals. The musicians ride on the float, playing fixed drums accompanied by flutes and suri-gane (small gongs). The repertoire includes Yose-daiko, Akita Bayashi, Akita Ken Bayashi, and Bon Odori. Although Bon Odori is not performed at this festival, it is considered a unique style of music in the Akita region.
Video Regarding Akita Bayashi [Performance Only]
Here is an alternative webpage regarding Taiko Drumming and Festival Music 太鼓風流・祭り囃子 (Akita Bayashi is categorized as a type of taiko drumming and festival music) that may be useful.
Event Dates: Mid-September (Hiyoshi Hachiman Shrine Annual Festival)
Venue: Hiyoshi Hachiman Shrine ~ Omachi 2-Chome
I did not have the opportunity to visit Hiyoshi Hachiman Shrine and see Akita Bayashi in person; however, I would like to share my impressions of it after watching the video above. As it is believed that the Akita Bayashi served as the original form that was incorporated into the Kanto Festival music (which can be heard at AIU), I was familiar with the rhythm of the drums and surigane cymbals, as well as the sound of the flute. In addition, the video is from 2012, so it may differ from today; however, what was interesting when comparing it to the Kanto Festival music was the difference in the performers' gender. At the Kanto Festival, men carry the lanterns while women perform the music, so it was refreshing to see both men and women performing the Akita Bayashi in the video.
Akita International University. (n.d.). Akita Bayashi [Akita Bayashi]. Agency for Cultural Affairs, Regional Traditional Culture Comprehensive Revitalization Project, Akita Folk Performing Arts Archives. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://www.akita-minzoku-geino.jp/archives/ja/4561/