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Ōta Bangaku

Location: Sakae-Ota, Kita-Akita City
Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community
Date(s): September 13
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
It is said that this bangaku was created by Hōrakuin Minetsugu, who was the chief administrator of the Ōta Shinmei Shrine, who learned Kagura and Nō plays when he studied in Kyoto. He created this bangaku based on what he learned in Kyoto and taught villagers how to perform it. At first, the dance and music were exclusively learned and played by specific families and taught only to their respective sons. The entire performance had 24 numbers: 12 omote dances and 12 ura dances. Music is played only on drums and Japanese flutes. The omote numbers are danced slowly and elegantly and the ura numbers are danced more actively, with interactions between performers.

About Shishimai and Bangaku