Historical background

Shishi-Odori is a traditional folk performing art practised mainly in the Tohoku region of Japan, especially in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Despite the term “Odori”, this is not merely just a dance; it reveals a deeper meaning of prayers, gratitude, and respect for life. Historically,  “shishi” referred to the meat of wild beasts hunted in the mountains. And the dance is believed to have originated as a ritual by locals, where hunters comfort the souls of hunted animals, express gratitude, and pray for the regeneration of wild animals. 

Tracing back to where it originated, the memorial stone in Yanagawa, Eashi, shows that Shishi-odori had been established and practised for more than three centuries. Documents from the Edo period mentioned that in the Nanbu and Date domains, the Shishi-odori had already developed into a form close to its present style. From the 1950s onward, many local shishi-odori traditions were officially recognised as a folk cultural property by the national government. 

Traditionally, shishi-odori was not an open cultural practice. Performances and training were generally prohibited outside the community, and dancers from different regions were permitted to gather or exchange. In some shishi-odori styles, admissions to the group were strictly controlled. New members were required to sign a blood oath, swearing to uphold the group’s commandments. Furthermore, only the eldest sons of the settlement were allowed to participate, reinforcing communal hierarchy. 

With the later influence of Buddhism, the dance has also been performed during the Bon Festival, where the locals believe it can comfort not only animal spirits but also the spirits of human ancestors. Today, Shishi-odori continues to be performed as a protection of the community from evil and to pray for abundant harvests. 

Characteristics

The unique features of shishi-odori include the deer-head masks, the sasara bamboo pole worn at the back, and drums attached to the abdomen, with performers dancing energetically in a group. While singing, each dancer beats their own drum, performing forward movements, turns and jumps in a group dance. The upper body sways widely back and forth, with the strong jumping or stepping steps moving in lines or forming circular patterns. 

Attire of Shishi-odori Performers and the Sasara (Himorogi)

Shishi-odori performers wear hakama and costumes made primarily of hemp, a material traditionally associated with ritual purity. A key feature of the attire is the Kuyō no Mon, a family crest linked to the Date clan. 

Another feature of Shishi-odori is the sasara, a bamboo pole approximately three meters long, worn upright on the dancer’s back. The sasara is wrapped in white paper, visually resembling ritual implements used in Shinto practices. The sasara is believed to function as a “himorogi”, a sacred object that serves as a yorishiro, or a temporary dwelling place for deities. By extending upward toward the sky, the sasara symbolically connects the human world with the divine, inviting the gods to descend during the performance. This ritual function is comparable to the ōnusa, a purification wand used by Shinto priests, which consists of hemp fibers or paper streamers attached to a stick and waved to purify spaces. In Shishi-odori, performers also strike the ground with the sasara, a gesture believed to calm the land and drive away evil spirits. 

In addition, the navy-blue tenugui worn by audience members are items created to support shishi-odori activities. The circular crest printed on the cloth represents the kuyō motif, a symbolic emblem of shishi-odori, while the red stitching is inspired by the seams of the front costume panels (mae-maku). This practice was observed at Honedera Village Shōen Exchange Center (骨寺村荘園交流館).

Access to the Michinoku Deer Dance Festival 

Sanno Historic Site Park Ayame Garden, 

Ichihasamasaka, Sanno, Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture

BY PUBLIC TRANSIT

2 hours and 30 minutes by Shinkansen from Akita to Sendai Station

70 minutes by bus from Sendai Station. 

Board the Ichihasama Line bus bound for Ichihasama Sogo Shisho-mae. The destination is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop. 

Access to the Hanamaki Festival

Kamimachi Area, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture

From Hanamaki Station, the Kamimachi festival area is within walking distance