Kagura-sai (Shinto music and dancing)
Spring Festival
(The Third Sarurday of April)
♣ 10:00am
festival starts
♣ 10:30am
performances starts by Iimori parishioner
(traditional Japanese dance, sigin/reciting Chinese poems,etc.)
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*At Kaguraden / hall of sacred music
♣ 12:00pm`8:00pm
Kagura/dedicatory music and dance performed by Kurotsuchi Kagura from Buzen city, Fukuoka
<History of Kurotsuchi Kagura>
According to Iwashimizu Hachiman shrine's history, Kagura began in 861 as sacred dances performed only by specific shrine families. In the middle of Meiji era, Yashiro family handed down Kagura among the parishioner, and Kurotsuchi Kagura was then in the golden age. Kagura is now performed by 3 generations even children. They perform not only traditional Kagura, but also newly creative Kagura.
<Program>
♦ Shikikagura
♦ Orochitaiji
♦ Iwatobiraki
♦ Misakikagura
♦ Yudatekagura
Misakikagura
 Gods pray for children's health |
 Kids are crying with scary face of ogres. |
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Orochitaiji
 The god of the sea and storms "Susanoo" exterminates the eight-headed serpent. It is to pray for the prosperity of descendants. |
 Susanoo is trying to make the giant snake drunk. |
Iwatobiraki
It is a Japanese myth of the oracular Amenouzume
(goddess of the dawn and revelry) who had performed a dance
in a chapter of Ama no iwato (Cave of heaven).
Yudatekagura
Yudatekagura is one of Japanese traditional kagura forms.
Performers dance on top of the bamboo tree (about 10meters high).
Boiling water is placed under the tree.At last, they walk on fire.
Visitors also can try as they do for their health.