NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉

2008/2/12

柏木野神代神楽 Kashiwagino-jindai-kagura Kashiwagino Jindai Kagura

Jp En


Kagura is a traditional theatrical dance in the Shinto religion. Kashiwagino Jindai Kagura is one of these dances that have been passed down to the Kashiwagino region of Hinoharamura, Nishitama-gun,Tokyo.  Jindai Kagura is performed once every two years at Chinjyu Nangou Shrine, on the occasion of the fall festival, to pray for rich harvests and the safety and well-being of the family.
     Prior to the performance, dancers undertake a purification ceremony in which they clean themselves in the Minamiaki River, chanting “rokkonshoujyou”. Rokkonshoujyou, literally translated, means “six roots purification”.   In the context of this Kagura it means to purify the six senses and the consciousness that humans possess. The word, rokkonshoujyou, is said to be at the root of the word “dokkoisho”, which Japanese people often utter to cheer themselves.
     The performance starts with the Demon Dance,   performed by children. It is then followed by 12 other performances, including Yusaguri in which people try to change the heart of a bad person by putting him into hot water and Daijya Taiji in which an old man asks people to capture a giant snake that has swallowed his daughter.  All of the dances are based on local folk tales and they entertain the audience until midnight.
     The performers range from elementary school students to adults all of whom decorate themselves with vibrant costumes and Kagura masks. The Jindai Kagura tradition is still alive and well today and it is dearly loved by Japanese people.
     Jindai Kagura has been designated as an Intangible Folklore Cultural Asset by Tokyo.    




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address
Hinoharamura Kashiwagino, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo 190-0200
name
Minamigou Shrine




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