Iwate
Tono

Aug 4, 2014 - 1 min read

Hayachine Kagura in Tono

Dances for the deities

By Imogen Riethmuller

Community writer

Hayachine Shrine, at the foot of Mt. Hayachine

There's some electric lighting around, but the candlelight adds to the atmosphere

The kagura is opened with performances by children from the local schools

The stage is small, and while there are only one or two dancers on stage at a time, sometimes the number can go up to three

The headpieces are extremely detailed, and from the side depict chickens

The dances depict scenes from various legends

Both male and female dancers participate in kagura

Swords used as props

Kagura are representative of the whole community, and many of the musicians are important Tono dignitaries and civil servants

The Hayachine kagura goes on into the night, and is a popular annual event in Tono

Kagura is a Shinto theatrical dance found throughout Japan. The tradition of performing ‘god-entertainment’ began in the fourteenth or fifteenth century, as a means of worshipping Mt. Hayachine as a deity. Kagura dancers are usually local residents with other full time jobs, although some professional dancers travel to festivals around the country for special events. Hayachine kagura has a long, culturally significant history, which was recognised in 2009 when it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Throughout the year in Tono, the Hayachine kagura is performed at the Mt. Hayachine Shrine, in front of the mountain goddess herself.

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Imogen Riethmuller

By Imogen Riethmuller

Community writer

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