Torigata Shishi-odori
鳥形獅子踊り
"The original melody, which kept the rhythm with drums, bells, and flutes, felt fresh and significantly different from the music I usually listen to, and I sensed the energetic power of the performers."
-Karen Muta
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Historical Background
Historical Background
This traditional dance is primarily performed in Noshiro City, but it started in Nara Prefecture. According to the Shishi Odori Yuraiki, the Torigata Shishi-Odori was performed annually on July 15th at Kasuga Daimyōjin (located in Nara Prefecture), as Emperor Kōken was deeply moved by the dance after witnessing it. After that, Torigata Shishi-odori, a traditional performing art loved in Nara Prefecture, has been passed down to Akita. According to the statements of origin written in 1676 and 1825, a man who used to live in Nara was adopted in the Province of Hitachi (corresponding to Ibaraki Prefecture), and he accompanied the Satake clan when the clan was reassigned to Akita. Soon after, he settled in Hachimori to develop new farmland, and it seems that he introduced the Shishi-odori (lion dance) to the area at that time.
Characteristics
Characteristics
Torigata Shishi-Odori is one of the types of Shishi-odori (lion dance). This dance is a ritual that aims to promote local peace and ward off evil spirits.
About the performance
There are three main parts in this traditional dance: Shishi-odori, Yakko-odori, and Oyayashi. The performance tells a story about two male lions fighting over a single male lion. Its program includes the Saki no Mawarikuruma, Ogiri, Naka no Mawarikuruma, and Ato no Mawarikuruma. Although it is Shishi-odori, it also includes the martial arts of bojutu, such as Kubinage and Araigoshi. The Yakko-odori, a traditional dance that depicts Edo-period servants called yakko, originally had 48 routines, but only 12 of them have been passed down. Lastly, Ohayashi plays the drums and flutes, and the songs are sung in accordance with the movements of Shishi-odori.
They used to have more than an hour for the performance, but considering that both performers and the audience get tired, it evolved into its current compact yet impactful format.
About the costumes
Generally, performers in Shishi-odori wear costumes that represent deer, using a sasara (musical instrument) to mimic the antlers. However, performers in Torigata Shishi-odori use drumsticks as symbolic antlers instead of sasara, striking them to keep the rhythm. The male lion dancer wears black hakama, the female lion dancer wears red, and the middle lion dancer wears brown. Each of them dances while carrying the drum and shakes the bells in rhythm with the music.
To know more
To know more
This is a video of the actual fesitval.
This video shows the performance of Torigata shishi0odori, especially the part of lion dance.
This video shows the 2021 Noshiro City Traditional Performing Arts Festival. You can also see women's participation in this video.
General information
General information
Place: Akita prefecture, Noshiro city, Sakagata, Torigata Kumano Shrine, Community Center, Chozenji Temple
Date: August 7th,13th,16th
Direct voice from the author
Through creating this website, I have come to appreciate the attraction and importance of preserving Japanese traditions. The original melody, which kept the rhythm with drums, bells, and flutes, felt fresh and significantly different from the music I usually listen to, and I sensed the energetic power of the performers. I was surprised to see that many people are eager to pass down the traditional festival, especially when I watched the video of Torigata Shishiodori, in which not only elderly people but also children were participating. Not only through the Torigata Shishi-odori, but after moving to Akita, I was moved by the efforts to preserve local traditions, such as the Kanto Team in my university and younger students engaging passionately in Warabi-za. I thought traditional festivals gather the people in the town and make them feel a sense of belonging to the community. These actions are particularly important in closed communities or societies where in-person connections are decreasing.
Photo by :Karen Muta
References
References
Websites
Akita Folk Performing Arts Archives. (2023). Torigata Shishi-Odori. Akita-Minzoku-Geino.jp. https://www.akita-minzoku-geino.jp/archives/ja/2230/
Hanamaki Tourism Association. (2020). Shishi-odori. Kanko-Hanamaki.ne.jp. https://www.kanko-hanamaki.ne.jp/spot/article.php?p=152&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture. (2022). Torigata Shishi-Odori. https://www.city.noshiro.lg.jp/res/minzoku-geinou/5554
Videos
Videos
Noshiro Folk Performing Arts Association. (2022, March 22). Torigata Shishi-Odori: How to wear the costume of Shishi-odori. 2016 7. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yq52DygKmw&list=PLcGrz883sPaQwWbJEiwgeCdx0Jt3ILHjF
Noshiro Folk Performing Arts Association. (2022, March 22). Torigata Shishi-Odori: The explanation of Shishi-Odori. 2016 7. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k24hQrZWIe4&list=PLcGrz883sPaQwWbJEiwgeCdx0Jt3ILHjF&index=3
Noshiro Folk Performing Arts Association. (2022, March 22). Torigata Shishi-Odori Traditional Performance Section. 2016 7. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0P0JAzYYxM&list=PLcGrz883sPaQwWbJEiwgeCdx0Jt3ILHjF&index=4
Noshiro Folk Performing Arts Association. (2022, March 22). Torigata Shishi-Odori: Angled view of a traditional performance. 2016. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIAEUYX7RAU&list=PLcGrz883sPaQwWbJEiwgeCdx0Jt3ILHjF&index=4
Noshiro Folk Performing Arts Association. (2022, March 21). Torigata Shishi-Odori Farewell Dance of the Sagiri Te Dance. 2016 7. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v49tXTElymI&list=PLcGrz883sPaQwWbJEiwgeCdx0Jt3ILHjF&index=20
By Karen Muta
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