Location: Yokosawa, Ota-cho, Daisen City Site(s) of performance: Kotohira Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): July 23, August 13, and September 14 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance According to the scroll attesting to its authenticity, the origin of Yokosawa Sasara goes back to 1658. When […]
Location: Matsubara, Shirasawa, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Yama Shrine, the cemetery, and the open space in front of Matsubara Community Center Date(s): May 12 and August 13 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance This lion dance is a dance of three lions (two males and one female), each performed by one person. At the time
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Location: Matsuki, Odate City Site(s) of performance: The public cemetery Date(s): August 13 Category: Sasara and Horse Dance This lion dance started in 1735. It is a dance of three lions, each performed by one person. It was a prestigious dance that could be performed in front of Lord Satake. Music is played with drums
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Location: Okashinai, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: The cemetery, Yamanokami Shrine, and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 and 16 (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2011) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance Okashinai Lion Dance is believed to have started in the
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Location: Ani-Koya, Kita-Akita City Site(s) of performance: Kōya Shrine Date(s): 3rd Sunday of September (the day of annual festival of Kōya Shrine) (no longer practiced at the time of survey in fiscal year 2011) Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance Despite the name of lion dance, the lion dance itself
Location: Hikiji-machi, Yurihonjo City Site(s) of performance: Hachiman Shrine, various places in Hikiji-machi, and other places in the former Honjo City. Date(s): 3rd Sunday and Monday of September Category: Sasara and Horse Dance This dance was believed to have effects against evil spirits and the catastrophe of fire. That was the reason why it was
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Location: Okubo-Ushiroyachi, Showa Site(s) of performance: Konan Community Center Date(s): May 4 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The Niiseki Sasara is a kind of lion dance with three lions, each performed by one person. However, it is quite unique in using deer heads instead of lion heads. Blue, green,
Location: Uchikawa, Gojome Town Site(s) of performance: Asaminai Community Center, Yunomata Community Center, and Gojome-Shinmei Shrine Date(s): May 5 and the 3rd Saturday of May (Gojome Bangaku Performance Event at the annual festival of Shinmei Shrine) (no longer performed as of the time of the survey conducted in fiscal year 2020) Category: Sasara and Horse
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Location: Katsuratai, Iwase, Odate City Site(s) of performance: Inari Shrine and other places in the community Date(s): August 13 Designation: City-Designated Intangible Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance Long ago, the Sasaki family, who belonged to the Ōmi branch of the famous Minamoto family, lost a battle, fled to the north, and found refuge
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Location: Toyooka, Toyooka-Kinden, Mitane Town Site(s) of performance: Satomi Shrine Date(s): July 7, August 13–15, and September 1 Designation: Town-Designated Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property Category: Sasara and Horse Dance The sasara here means a lion dance, but Wada Sasara also includes stick dances and yakko dances (samurai servants’ dances). It has been performed for a