Onikenbai

鬼剣舞

"Demon Sword Dance"

"Onikenbai is one of those dances that is captivating from the start. It is hard to look away from the performers."

- Jameson Ketcham

Historical Background

Characteristics

Videos of Onikenbai

When and Where to See

More Information

Direct Voice from Jameson Ketcham

References

Historical Background

Onikenbai, also known as, demon sword dance or just sword dance is a folk performing art from Kitakami city in the iwate prefecture. It is widely believed that it originated in the Taiho era (701-704) from a Buddhist monk named En no Gyoja Kozuno. The dance is a form of Buddhist enlightenment called Nembutsu Kenbai. It was performed to ward off evil spirits, bring in bountiful harvests, and bring prosperity to the people. Later it was used for men going or returning from war. The dance is still performed to this day in Kitakami City, usually during midsummer.

Characteristics

Onikenbai is typically performed by eight people. The main performer or ichikembai, wear a white mask, while the other dancers wear either red, blue, or black masks. Even though the dance has the word demon in the title, the performers are demons but reincarnations of Buddha. This is why the masks do not have horn-typical of a normal demon mask in other performing arts. The colored masks represent the four seasons and directions. In addition to the masks the dancers wear long haired wigs, kimono, breastplate, a red sash, and other pieces of clothing. They also carry a sword, and in some dances, a fan.

The dance mainly consists of stomping in order to drive away and banish the evil spirits. It also involves sharp and crisp movements, martial arts, and other dance elements. In addition to the dancers there are the musicians, or ohayashi. They consist of a drummer, gong player, and two to four flutes.

Videos of Onikenbai

Example of the demon sword dance during festival and other occasions. [English Only]

Example of the demon sword dance. [No Narration]

When and Where to See

You can see the powerful demon sword dance during the Bon festival in midsummer or the Kitakami Michinoku Performing Arts Festival!

More Information

Where: Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture

Website: https://www.city.kitakami.iwate.jp/life/kitakamishinoshokai/kitakamishinokanko/5/12631.html

Inquires: Kitami City Commerical Tourism Division Tourism and International Affairs Section. Phone Number 0197-72-8241

Dark highlighted portion is Kitakami City in Iwate Prefecture. No Licensing Needed.

Direct Voice from Jameson Ketcham

"It was very interesting to learn about Onikenbai. I feel like there are so many different performing arts in Japan. To find one that is unique to a single city is really fascinating. To also be such an old dance that has continued into modern day is amazing. It was surprising to learn that even though Onikenbai is translated to demon sword dance, the dancers do not represent demons, but quite the opposite. Even their masks look like traditional demon masks used in other traditional performing arts. Onikenbai is one of those dances that is captivating from the start. It is hard to look away from the performers. The dance is powerful and really feel like they are driving out the evil spirits. "