Honkai Lion Dance Bangaku

Historical background

The name "Honkai-bangaku" is derived from the name of Honkai-bo, a shugenja (ascetic practitioner) who lived at the end of Sanboin Temple in Daigoji, Kyoto. Honkai-bo is said to have introduced most of the Bangaku called Honkai-ryu to the Chokai areas in Akita in the Kan'ei Era (1624-1645). His journey of spreading the bangaku to the villages ended in Arasawa (former Yajima Town), where he died. It was designated as the Intangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs  in 2011.

Characteristics

The dance is composed of a lion dance and bangaku, both of which are performed in a religious (shugen) manner. In the past, lion dances and banguaku were collectively called simply "lion dances. The Bon Shishi is also performed from August 14 to 16, during the Bon period, when Japanese people celebrate their ancestors’ souls. Honkai Lion Dance Bangaku is composed of the dancing part and the musical part. 

While Shishimai (Lion Dance) typically uses a lion’s head for the performance, Bangaku does not use it, which distinguishes Bangaku from Shishimai.

The people who perform this bangaku are called kōchu. This dance is said to be a yoshukumai, a dance to bring about the harvest of the five grains, peace under heaven, and the happiness of the whole village and the whole region. The dance is composed of a lion dance, a ceremonial dance, a Shinto dance, a samurai dance, a female dance, a clown dance, and a variety of other dances. 

To know more! 

Leaflet about Honkai Lion Dance Bangaku 

• Explaining the history, performance, the groups performing Lion Dance Bangaku with beautiful graphics (Japanese only)

Current activities

Currently, thirteen organizations (kōchu) pass down the traditional Honkai Lion Dance Bangaku. 

• Kamim moyake kochū (上百宅講中)

• Shimomomoyake kochū (下百宅講中)

• Kamihitane kochū (上直根講中)

• Nakahitane kochū (中直根講中)

• Maenosawa kochū (前ノ沢講中)

• Shimohitane kochū (下直根講中)

• Sarukura kochū (猿倉講中)

• Kōya kochū (興屋講中)

• Nikai kochū( 二階講中)

• Amaike kochū (天池講中)

• Yakiyama kochū (八木山講中)

• Hirane kochū (平根講中)

• Sagenabe kochū (提鍋講中)

They regularly have performances in a certain time of the year, including New Year. To watch the performance, you’ll need to sign up through a fax machine or an email. The fee is 500 yen (It might differ on different performances). 

How to get there

One of the places where you can watch Honkai Shishimai Bangaku performances is Yurihonjo  City Folk Performing Arts Traditions Museum Mai-re (由利本荘市民俗芸能伝承館 まいーれ).