Urayama Lion Dance

About this event

This lion dance, dedicated during the festival day of Urayama no Dainichi-sama located deep beyond Chichibu Sakura Lake, features an attractive and heroic dance performance. On the first day, the "Tsurugi-gakari" dance is dedicated in the morning at Dainichido, followed by the performance of "Hana-gakari" and "O-gurui" at Shoan-ji Temple, which serves as the stamp office (nokyocho) for Dainichido. In the afternoon, both lion dance groups join together at Dainichido to perform prayer dances. On the second day, prayer dances continue until around 3:00 PM, after which the performers visit the homes of local residents who requested them within the cultivated farming area to dedicate an exorcism dance to ward off evil spirits. This heroic and gorgeous lion dance is still cherished and passed down today as a traditional event praying for good health and bountiful harvests in the community.

Venue

Shoan-ji Temple

1453 Urayama, Chichibu, Saitama 369-1873