https://www.bonodori.net/rekishi/　

https://sanrikuarts.com/geinoh-list/3313/

Tashiro Bon Odori is held twice a year in early September. Until the late Taishō period, the upper settlements—Takayashiki, Mukōda, Hachibee, and Shichimura—performed sasara (a type of lion dance), while the lower settlements—Nakamura, Nazaemon, and Dewatashiro—performed bangaku.

During the Keio era (1865–1868), women who married into the Tashiro area from Nagatsura in Shimo-Iwakawa taught the Neko Bangaku dance to the local men. It was performed as a celebratory dance to mark important occasions.

(Akita Inu Tourism, n.d.)

It will be held at the former riverside park near the Odate City Hall General Tashiro Branch Office.

Before working on this project, I had not known about Tashiro Bon Odori, nor had I ever participated in it. Through researching and learning about it, I came to realize how deeply this dance is rooted in Ugo town, local life and community. 

Actually, I belong to the Kanto club in AIU. Before coming to Akita, I knew there was a famous festival "Kanto", however, I had never seen it. Through participating in the festival and communicating with the local people, I realized how Kanto is being protected and loved by them. Because of the depopulation and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's becoming more difficult to survive. Though I am not a local person and may not have the same passion as them, I want to keep playing Kanto as an Akita-related population and help preserve Kanto in the next 100 years.