Kamagadai Bangaku
釜ヶ台番楽
" When I master the dance, and it finally comes together, I feel a strong sense of fulfillment in performing this Bangaku."
- anonymous
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Historical Background
Historical Background
Kamagadai bangaku is one of the Shishimai Bangaku from Honkairyu through the Tensho period (1573-1592) and the Kanei period (1624-1645). Honkairyu is passed down by Honkai Gyonin, who is said to belong to the Shugen tradition of Sanbo-in of Daigo temple in Kyoto. During his youth, he taught dance in the local area, which is at the foot of Choukai Mountain. One interesting aspect is that the Bangaku of this area is said to be in a five-beat rhythm, and the dance is highly elaborate, because it is believed to have been transmitted by him when he was relatively young. It has been designated as a prefectural intangible folk cultural property
Characteristics
Characteristics
The performance is held at each area every August, especially Obon (August 13-16). It is also performed in September as part of the Dogen-ko observances, which is a memorial service held to learn the lesson of Dogen. Bangaku begins with a lion dance and consists of sacred dances and lion dances. The dressing room and the stage are separated by a traditional curtain. This curtain (maku) describes the history of each area. Over the course of one night, they perform 18 dances. For example, when the lion moves, a musical accompaniment called "Koji-watari” is played, and the music between the performances and interludes is continuous throughout the play.
To know more
To know more
A video that brings together many different types of dance into one
A video that documents one specific type of Bangaku, Bakuchi Sanba, from beginning to end
An archival documentary that closely follows winter training and explores the role of Bangaku in contemporary society
More Information
More Information
Direct Voice from a Local High School Student (anonymous)
Direct Voice from a Local High School Student (anonymous)
I interviewed a high school student who plays Kamagadai Bangaku in Nikaho city. He told me about his deep passion for this Bangaku.
“ The moment I feel a sense of fulfillment is when I master the choreography and the dancers or local people praise my dance. However, I’m not sure whether we can sustain this tradition because most of the dancers are elderly people and the number of dancers has been decreasing recently. So, I’ll do my best to keep it alive in the future. To deal with this declining problem, I want to let many more people know about Bangaku. Lastly, I hope that many people are attracted by our Bangaku and would be interested in it. Please come to see our performance at Kamagadai Multi-Purpose Hall every August 14 and 20!! "
How to get to the place
How to get to the place
9-2 Nakashima, Kamagadai, Nikaho, Akita 018-0421
TEL: 0184-37-3387
Use a car from Nikaho Station via Prefectural Route 32 (22 minutes). Take the Kamagadai Line (a local bus) from Nikaho Station to Kamagadai stop (50 minutes), and walk about 300m (4 minutes).
References
References
AkitaMinzokuGeino. (2012, March 7). Kamagadai Bangaku. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdDlDw10VYw
Traditional Performing Arts and Annual Events in Nikaho City. (2019, August 15). 【Kamagadai Bangaku】Bakuchi Sanba. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsUpulRYqss
BANGAKU, a traditional performing art – HAGAIGU Nikaho-Workcation. (2022).https://hagaigunikahoworkcation.com/en/local_resources/03/ (English)
Kamagadai Bangaku – Akita Traditional Performing Arts Archives. (n.d.). Akita-Minzoku-Geino.jp. https://www.akita-minzoku-geino.jp/archives/ja/765/ (Japanese).
Keisuke Sato – HAGAIGU Nikaho-Workcation. (2022). Hagaigunikahoworkcation.com. https://hagaigunikahoworkcation.com/en/local_player/03/ (English)
Nanmo University, PR team. (2020). Make Banraku a hero again. Nanmo University. https://nanmoda.jp/2020/09/10213/ (Japanese).
Nikaho no Hokani. (2021, March 31). Kamagadai Bangaku. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYBe3wxozKo
The committee for preserving Kamagadai Bangaku (@kamagadai_bangaku) • Instagram photos and videos. (2017). Instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/kamagadai_bangaku/
The Photobook of Kamagadai Bangaku in Nikaho City. (2019). Akita Community Support Website Akita Genki Mura. https://common3.pref.akita.lg.jp/genkimura/blog/blog-186 (Japanese)
Volcanic Disaster Prevention for Mount Chokai: The blessings of Mt. Chokai. (2025). https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/uploads/public/archive_0000003032_00/558cf807076.html
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