Shimonaguri Lion Dance

About this event

This is a three-lion dance (Sanbiki Shishimai) dedicated to Suwa Shrine in Shimonaguri. The festival days used to be August 24 and 25, but it is currently held on the Saturday and Sunday closest to the 25th. Although an initiation document dating back to Tenpo 14 (1843) from the lion dance of Takamizusan Jofukuin in Nariki, Ome City remains, the current lion head bears an inscription of creation from Bunka 5 (1808), and even older lion heads have been preserved, suggesting that the lion dance was practiced before the formal initiation was recognized. The performance acts of the lion dance are called "shiba," and consist of six pieces: "Omiyamairi/Goheigakari," "Hanagakari," "Sanbyoshi," "Saogakari," "Mejishigakushi," and "Shiraha." The dance is characterized by moving dynamically across the entire dance ground. Performed last in the evening, "Shiraha" features two sword handlers carrying real swords who engage in a heroic dance with the lion, concluding with the lion dancing while holding a real sword in its mouth. The lions are called "Odayu," "Kodayu," and "Mejishi." The lion head has a structure where the lower and upper jaws are integrated, and the bamboo basket into which the dancer's head is inserted fits completely inside the lion head.

Venue

Suwa Shrine

1049 Shimonaguri, Hanno, Saitama 357-0112