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Ōmori Daidai-Kagura

Location: Yokooka-Ōmori, Kisakata-machi, Nikaho City Site(s) of performance: Shinmei Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): 3rd Monday of July Category: Dai-kagura Ōmori Daidai-Kagura seems to be derived from Ise Dai-Kagura. Even if its beginning is unknown, from the facts that Shinmei Shrine is the main shrine of the community and that the pilgrimage […]

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Yamada Lion Dance

Location: Yamada, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Hachiman Shrine, Tōunji, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the lion dance of Yamada is believed to go back to the dance performed during the long journey of Lord Satake Yoshinobu

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Jōshū-Kudaru Lion Dance

Location: Kotsunagi, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: Various places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance When Lord Satake was relegated from Hitachi Province (in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, some people performed a kind of dance which later became the lion

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Nekko Bangaku

Location: Ani-Nekko, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Ani Civic Hall Nekko Annex Date(s): August 14 Category: Shishimai and Bangaku Designation: State-Designated Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural PropertyAccording to the legend, Nekko Bangaku was brought here by the losers of the Battle of Gempei in the late 12th century. Nekko Bangaku has a script of excellent quality

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Jōshū-Kudaru Ontomo Sasara

Location: Dōji, Ōgita, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: various places in the community Date(s): August 13, 14, 17, and 20 Designation: Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance According to legends here, when Lord Satake was moved from Hitachi-Ōta (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, a lower-class samurai danced to entertain

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Kiriishi Sasara Dance

Location: Kiriishi, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City Site(s) of performance: The cemetery, the lion head’s guardian’s house, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 14 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance When Lord Satake was relegated from Hitachi Province (in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) to Akita in 1602, some people

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Kushi Shrin Shagiri

Location: Himeno, Nikaho City Site(s) of performance: Kushi Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): 2nd Sunday of September Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Furyū Shagiri is a lively Shinto festival with music and dance. At the Kushi Shrine’s annual festival, the mikoshi (divine palanquin) circulates in the community and a music

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Takko Sasara

Location: Takko, Shimo-Iwakawa, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Takko Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 14 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The origin of the Takko Sasara is unclear, but it is said to have been drawn from the Jōshū-Ontomo Sasara of Dōji (Noshiro City). There is nothing similar in

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