Yamadaiko
山太鼓
"Maintaining tradition and passing it on requires strong connections across generations and within the community." -Moeka Miura
"Maintaining tradition and passing it on requires strong connections across generations and within the community." -Moeka Miura
Yamadaiko (山太鼓) is a traditional performance of music in the Festival of Tōko Yasaka Shrine. This festival was established in 1062 during the late Heian period, and it became an object of deep popular devotion across a wide region over the centuries. Combining the ancient legend of the slaying of the Yamata-no-Orochi with the water-related beliefs held by the Hachirogata farming communities, this festival has preserved a rare and rigorous tōnin (統人) (hereditary ritualist) system. It was registered as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1986.
Yamadaiko performance plays a significant role in this festival. Selected men and boys in the local community walk around the Tōko area to perform it not only on the festival day but also every morning and evening for several days before the festival. For local people, this music performance is a symbol of the festival.
It has been performed by both adults and children in the local community and has been passed down through generations. One person holds a big taiko on his shoulder, and the other person beats it. Also, other performers play the Japanese flute and the sasara, a traditional bamboo instrument. After weeks of practice, the junior high school students parade through the neighborhood playing their instruments from one week before the festival until the day of the event. Their performances announce the approaching festival and drive away evil spirits from the community. Adult performers additionally take on the climax scene of the festival to liven up the most important kumomai performance.
(taken by author)
History of Tōko Yasaka festival (English subtitle available)
Scenes from the festival day (English subtitle available)
Yamadaiko performance (English subtitle available)
I am a member of this community and used to take part in the festival every year when I was a child. The main rituals, duties, and the yama-daiko drum performance were carried out exclusively by men, so together with other girls, I followed the portable shrine, dancing as we paraded through the Tōko district. I loved playing musical instruments, and although I felt disappointed that I could not play the drums simply because I was a girl, I still felt proud to participate in such a historic local festival.
My school teachers and local adults often told us, “The day after the festival marks the beginning of preparations for next year.” The festival was not something performed only in the days right before the event, but it was supported by many different rituals throughout the year. Each year, the people of Tenno and Funakoshi fulfilled and passed down their respective roles. Although my mother was not originally from this city, she used to say that the bonds within this community were far stronger than those in other places, and it was because of this festival. Maintaining these rituals and passing them on requires strong connections across generations and within the community.
Tōko Elementary School also played an important role in supporting the festival. Students learned about its history, conducted research, and created posters to share what they discovered. Most children enjoyed the festival with their families and friends, while some took on responsibilities in the event. After the festival, all students participated in the clean-up around the shrine. Growing up in the area, they gradually assumed more significant roles in the community's customs, and these childhood memories of contributing to local traditions strengthened their sense of belonging.
However, due to the rapidly declining population, the school was permanently closed in 2025. With the severe depopulation in this region, even this millennium-old tradition may face the risk of disappearing in the near future. In this situation, we must consider how we can preserve traditional performing arts for future generations.
Next year, I will leave Akita for work and will no longer live close to this community. Yet, through this digital archive project, I am truly proud to have contributed, even in a small way, to the preservation of our traditional festival.
Me as an elementary school student
AkitaMinzokuGeino. (2012, February 8). Yamadaiko. [Video]. https://youtu.be/vgX4I8rjuaE?si=_S_Zhfrr6grPkJRT
Akita Sakigake Shinpou. (2013, July 7). Ushinori to kumomai hirou, katagamishi de toōko-yasaka-jinja-taisai. [Cow riding and kumomai performance in Tohko Yasaka festival in Katagami city] [Video]. https://youtu.be/i6ofkVSXPec?si=SpgLevmFZxOGbKJz
Katagami city. (2025). Kuni-shitei-juyou-mukei-minzoku-bunkazai tōko-yasaka-jinja-sai tōnin-gyoji.[Tohko Yasaka Shrine Festival Tonin Rituals as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan]. https://www.city.katagami.lg.jp/soshiki/kyoikuiinkai_kyoiku/bunkasport/shakaikyoiku/bunkazai/5775.html
NPO kusakidani-wo-mamoru-kai Katagami in Akita. (2024, October 4 )Tōko-yasaka-jinja-sai tōnin-sai. [Festival of Tohko Yasaka Shrine] [Video]. https://youtu.be/MgUQ_Cma_pQ?si=oLNp9oz7oA2XTgUO