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Nakamura Bangaku

Location: Nakamura, Babame, Gojome Town
Site(s) of performance: Gojōme Shinmei Shrine
Date(s): 3rd Saturday of May (Gojome Bangaku Performance Event at the annual festival of Shinmei Shrine)
Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property
Category: Shishimai and Bangaku
According to legend, the origin of this bangaku goes back to the 17th century. The existing bangaku mask dates back to the Ansei period (1855–1860). It was probably very popular then. This bangaku has a kind of hereditary master system, where the Ishii family was in charge of the management of it for many years until the early 1980s. Music is performed by a drum, a Japanese flute, gongs, and clappers. The drummer also sings.

About Shishimai and Bangaku