About this event
This Shinto ritual has been dedicated at Kasuga Shrine in Wakai, Shimanto Town, for approximately 400 years. Composed of martial arts techniques, this Hanatori Tachi Odori (flower-taking sword dance) is characterized by its heroic and high-speed choreography, harmonizing drums, dance, and song. In feudal times, commoners were forbidden from carrying swords; out of a desire to hold swords, they brought them out as part of religious festival rites to pray for bountiful harvests and village safety. Today, an autumn grand festival is held on November 1, where local residents dedicate this dance. It has been designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture.
Source website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Kasuga Shrine
Wakai, Shimanto-cho, Takaoka-gun, Kochi 786-0068
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