Kadomori Shrine Autumn Festival

About this event

This autumn festival is held at Kadomori Shrine, a historic and venerable ancient shrine dating back to the reign of Emperor Yuryaku. Held every October, it has been handed down since around 1720 as a traditional festival worshiping the guardian deities of the eight major areas of Soni Village. The greatest highlight of the festival is the dedication of the "Soni Lion Dance," which is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This lion dance preserves the original form of Ise Dai-kagura and is highly evaluated for its rich variety and quality, including dance dedications, shrine dances, demon expulsions, san-kagura, lion dance movements, tsugi-jishi (stacked lion dance), and ara-mai (wild dances). Performed surrounded by many spectators, the lion dance has a unique atmosphere and powerful presence, and the villagers performing it with pride touches the hearts of viewers. In particular, "Tsugi-jishi" from the Igami district, "Shishi-odori" from the Nagano district, and "San-kagura" from the Imai district are known as signature performances. At the end of the festival, the lion dance is dedicated in the grounds of Kadomori Shrine, praying for bountiful harvests and peace for the village.

Venue

Kadomori Shrine

733 Imai, Soni, Uda District, Nara 633-1212