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Historical Background
Historical Background
The Lion Dance is performed every year from the beginning of the New Year until around the Little New Year (Koshogatsu, on January 15) to pray for the safety of families in the city, the exorcism of epidemics, and for good luck and happiness. The house lion dance is performed at the entrance of the house or in the garden, while the agari lion dance is performed in the living room. The dancers are accompanied by a person who manipulates the lion's head and a person who holds the curtain behind them. The music includes drums, flutes, and gongs. The lions are called "naruki shishi," or "roaring lions," and they roar loudly whenever they move. The lion dance is performed at the beginning of the Shinto ritual and is said to purify the festival site (venue) and the participants (attendees) so that there will be no problems with the subsequent rituals. On March 26, 2021, Sankou Kumano Shrine Lion Dance was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Akita City.
Characteristics
Characteristics
Sankou Kumano Shrine Lion Dance is a traditional lion dance event in Ushijima, Akita City. From about January 5 to 14, lion dancers parade through the town praying for the exorcism of bad luck, protection from fire, protection from disaster, and the safety of the family. The dancers perform a house-to-house lion dance at the front door or in the garden of each house they visit, and an ascending lion dance when they go up to the tatami room, handing out sacred cards to visitors. Each house receives hatsuho from the dancers. On the last day, the procession ends at the main shrine.
Many of the residents of Ushijima look forward to the parade with great anticipation, calling it "Sanko-san's Lion. Without the arrival of the lions, it does not feel like the new year has begun, and it is an essential event for the community.
To know more!
To know more!
Introducing the Lion Dance performance with the footages of the dance
How the actual performance is played
How the actual performance is played
Current activities
The Sankou Kumano Shrine Lion Dance Preservation Society takes the lead in performing the ritual and passes down the events.
How to get there
Address: 3 Chome-10-11 Ushijimanishi, Akita, 010-0063
Take an Uetsu Line from Akita station to Ugoｰushijima station for 3 minutes and walk from there for 16 minutes
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