向山神楽獅子の神事 Mukaiyama-kagura-jishi-no-shinji Mukaiyama Lion Kagura Ritual
|
Mukaiyama Lion Kagura Ritual is performed at the annual spring festival of Ichikishima Shrine in Mukaiyama Town in the Okkawa area in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture. The origin of this kagura dance dates back about 400 years. When Nagoya Castle was constructed, it is said that the dancer wearing a lion head led the line of carts carrying stones for the stone wall of the castle. The lion dance was performed along the way in hope of the safe transportation.
The lion dancer leading the procession of the festival floats is depicted in “Okkawa Dashi Sairei Ezu (the picture of the float festival in Okkawa)” painted in 1755. It is supposed that the lion dancer was from Mukaiyama.
Today, three kinds of lion kagura dances, Suzu-no-mai (the Bell Dance), Tsurugi-no-mai (the Sword Dance) and Doiri-no-mai, are dedicated at the shrine festival, which is held on the same day as Handa Spring Float Festival. This dance was designated as an intangible folk cultural property by the city in 1969.
The lion dancer leading the procession of the festival floats is depicted in “Okkawa Dashi Sairei Ezu (the picture of the float festival in Okkawa)” painted in 1755. It is supposed that the lion dancer was from Mukaiyama.
Today, three kinds of lion kagura dances, Suzu-no-mai (the Bell Dance), Tsurugi-no-mai (the Sword Dance) and Doiri-no-mai, are dedicated at the shrine festival, which is held on the same day as Handa Spring Float Festival. This dance was designated as an intangible folk cultural property by the city in 1969.
- address
- 1-128 Mukaiyama-cho, Handa, Aichi Prefecture 475-0084
- name
- Ichikishima Shrine