Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance was started in 1735, Kyoho 20 years in the Edo Period. It is said that this lion dance was of such high standing that it could even be performed before the lord of the Satake domain. Satake family had ruled Akita for  around 270 years from 1602, after the battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

Although there are many types of lion dance, they have a common legend of origin. The theory is that the lion dance spread following the Satake clan’s transfer to a new domain from Hitachi, the current Ibaragi prefecture, to Akita. When the Satake clan was transferred, their retainers performed the Shishi Dance to entertain them during the journey, and these retainers then passed down the tradition to various regions. 

Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance is also called "Matsuki Shishi Odori" because the dance was performed in the Matsuki community in Odate City. "Matsuki Shishi Odori Preservation Committee" made an effort to maintain this tradition.

I have never seen or heard about "Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance" before, so this website-making project was stimulating. What I was surprised by was the scarcity of information. I found only one video of "Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance" and a few texts about it. In addition to many dance moves and staff fighting forms being lost, the lack of information about this dance also indicates that this lion dance is facing a crisis of disappearing. Not only for "Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance", but also for other traditional dances, it is difficult to preserve traditional cultures over a long period. 

I have watched "Shishimai," the lion dance, that visits my grandparents' house every New Year's Day. In "Shishimai," it is believed that if the lion bites your head, it brings you good luck and protects you from evil. I would like to deepen more weather "Shishimai" and "Dai-Kantō Chinese Lion Dance" are related to each other or not.