The image is retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOQeeEoksGl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This is a traditional performing art which dates back to the Edo period when the former Masuda Town flourished as the largest rural town within the Kubota Domain (Akita Domain). It involves mounting drums on a mobile float with wheels, decorating it with pampas grass and bamboo, and having the drummers walk alongside the float while playing. The accompanying instruments include a transverse flute, hand cymbals, shamisen, drums, and chanting. The repertoire includes Yose Bayashi, Saisai Bayashi, Ken Bayashi, Gion Bayashi, Obako Bushi, and Donpan Bushi.
Still image from Fukushima Saisei Hayashi — Yokote City Masuda (2015, June, 18)
Still image from Masuda no Fukushima Saisei by momen-masa (2016,September 17)
It is said that the origin of the Fukushima Saisei Hayashi dates back to August of Bunka 8 (1811), when the Akita domain lord, Satake Yoshikazu, conducted an inspection tour of his territory. On this occasion, the youth of Nanokamachi in the former Masuda Town learned and performed the Saisei Bayashi as an artistic presentation.
After the lord’s tour, following the intentions of the town’s senior leaders, the music began to be dedicated to festivals at Isedō Shrine and Gassan Shrine. It was thereafter performed in accompaniment with mikoshi (portable shrine) processions and became customary for the performers to go door to door throughout the town while playing the music.
The Fukushima Saisai Hayashi Preservation Society carries out preservation and succession activities. They mainly perform the Fukushima Saisai Hayashi at the local event.
Main Performance Venues
Yokote Bon Festival (August annually)
Masuda Fireworks Festival
Yokote Festival
Gassan Shrine Festival 月山神社祭典
“Masuda's Warehouse Day” (増田の蔵の日)
Location: Masuda Town, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture 秋田県横手市増田町内
Phone Number: 0182-32-2403
Business Hours: September 14th and 15th
福嶋サイサイ囃子 横手市増田
Fukushima Saisai Hayashi Yokote Masuda (Audio: Japanese English subtitles included)
秋田の伝統芸能 福嶋サイサイ囃子
Akita's Traditional Performing Arts: Fukushima Saisai Hayashi (Japanese only and no subtitles)
増田の福嶋サイサイ
Masuda no Fukushima Saisai (Audio: Japanese English subtitles included)
Still image from Masuda no Fukushima Saisei by momen-masa (2016, September 17)
Watching Fukushima Saisei Hayashi, I was struck by how it reminded me, in some ways, of the Kantō Festival. In particular, the way performers support festival equipment using their hands or even their chins felt visually similar.
That physical balance and bodily engagement made the performance especially fascinating to watch.
At the same time, Fukushima Saisei Hayashi has its own distinct atmosphere rooted in local tradition.The festival music is light and rhythmic, and listening to it naturally lifts the listener’s mood. I would love to go and see the festival in the next year!
Akita Folkloric Performance Art Archives. (n.d.). Fukushima Saisai Bayashi. https://www.akita-minzoku-geino.jp/archives/ja/5444/
akita-minzokugeino. (2013, December 24). Akita no dentō geinō: Fukushima Saisai Bayashi (Yokote-shi shitei mukei minzoku bunkazai) [Akita traditional performing arts: Fukushima Saisai festival music (Yokote City designated intangible folk cultural property)] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMGRW0hnzmE
momen-masa. (2013, February 5). Masuda no Fukushima Saisai [Fukushima Saisai of Masuda] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJBx3ZxqLIk
yokote-akita. (2015, June 18). Masuda no Fukushima Saisai: Masuda Yokote city [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE7UBckz7v4
Yokote City. (n.d.). Masuda no kura no hi [Masuda's warehouse day]. https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/1001501/1012485.html