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Shibano Lion Dance

Location: Shibano, Kawaguchi, Yurihonjo City
Site(s) of performance: Ōhirume Shrine, Chōkokuji Temple, and other places in the community
Date(s): January 11, 3rd Sunday of January, February 11, and August 14 and 22
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
As Shibano was in the territory of Kameda Domain, the community had a close link to Chōkokuji Temple. The priest Zezan-Taikaku granted the villagers a lion head, with which they performed the dance to repel evil spirits and pray for good harvests. The origin of the lion dance here is said to go back to 1774. It has been taking part in the Great Hannya Service of January 11 at Chōkokuji Temple, since this lion dance had much to do with Zezan. After the Great Buddha Statue was built in 1793 at Chōkokuji Temple, this dance has also been performed in the annual festival of the Great Buddha. It is called a lion dance, but as many as 26 bangaku dance numbers are also on its list.

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