Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori
常州下獅子踊
"This is a combined complex art that we cannot see in other places."
-Yuta Araki
Embedded Files
Historical Background
Historical Background
This Shishiodori, known as the Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori, is said to originate from performances given by the Ishikawa family while they were traveling from Jōshū (part of present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Hiyama during the domain transfer (Kunigae) in Keichō 7 (1602). The dance was later passed on to the young people of Dōchi Village through the efforts of Nakamura Mokuzaemon, who had served the Dōchi district of Ōgida Village for generations as a protector of the fields.
According to research records compiled by the former Futatsui Town Board of Education in Shōwa 61 (1986), the dance had been continually performed by the young men since around Meiji 4 (1871), and before the war, the performers were organized into groups of males aged 15 to 31. The form of transmission has changed over time; the age restrictions have been lifted, and since the late Shōwa period, elementary, junior high, and high school students have also participated in the tradition. In the past, the performers toured and held performances in other communities from the 13th to the 20th of the 7th month of the lunar calendar. Today, it is danced within the community on August 13th to pray for a good harvest and to commemorate ancestors. On April 1, Shōwa 62 (1987), it was designated as a Municipal Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori is composed of the Shishiodori, the Yakkoodori, the Komaodori, and the Hayashikata.
The Shishiodori component itself originated from a tradition passed down from the Jōshū-kudaru Ontomo-Sasara of the same region. The Komaodori, however, has a separate origin from the lion dance.
Characteristics
Characteristics
The Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori is a complex performing art composed of multiple acts and roles, accompanied by flute and drum music.
The performance begins in the style of a Daimyō Gyōretsu, featuring a vanguard of performers with bōtsukai, naginata, matoi, taka, and hasamibako. The procession arrives at the dancing ground with the chant of "Shissā Eyakora ē!"
The content and sequence of the acts are as follows:
1. Shishiodori: Three Shishi wear small drums and dance while personally striking the drums in time with the flute hayashi. The costumes include lion heads, hakama, and tabi.
2. Yakkoodori: This is performed after the Shishiodori. The costumes used are yukata, obi, tasuki, hachimaki, and zōri.
3. Komaodori: This act begins after the Yakkoodori, accompanied by umahiki uta. Six performers, wearing komagashira and a wooden frame fitted with kanawa—which act as noisemakers—divide into two groups and dance. The clatter of the reins is lively, and the performers call out "Shissā! Shissā!" to each other while leaping lightly and executing a valiant, dynamic performance.
4. Bōjutsu: After the Komaodori concludes, two young men perform a staff routine while shouting spirited calls to each other. Techniques such as backflips are also incorporated.
To know more
To know more
A video about Shishiodori (Japanese only)
A video about Shishiodori (Japanese only)
A video about Komaodori (Japanese only)
A video about Komaodori (Japanese only)
A video focusing on the whole Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori (Japanese only)
A video focusing on the whole Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori (Japanese only)
A video which gives an explanation about the origin of Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori (Japanese only)
A video which gives an explanation about the origin of Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori (Japanese only)
Direct Voice from Yuta Araki
Direct Voice from Yuta Araki
I found it highly interesting that the Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori is not simply a performance where one wears a shishi mask and dances, but is a combined complex art form that includes the Yakkoodori, Komaodori, and Bōjutsu.
Regarding the origin of the Shishiodori component being a tradition passed down from the Jōshū-kudaru Ontomo-Sasara of the same region, it is fascinating to get a glimpse into the roots of this traditional performing art.
Furthermore, regarding its succession, the fact that the restrictions requiring participation only by males before the war were eventually removed truly symbolizes modern times, where traditional culture is becoming increasingly difficult to pass on due to the declining birthrate and aging population. I would be delighted if this digital archive could support the continuation of the Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori, even in a small way.
References
References
Futatsui Town Board of Education. (1986). Cultural Properties of Futatsui Town Local Performing Arts No. 6. Futatsui Town Board of Education.
Noshiro City. (n.d.). Jōshū-kudari Shishiodori. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://www.city.noshiro.lg.jp/res/minzoku-geinou/5544
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