Ueno Tenjin Festival
One of the unique features of Ueno Tenjin Festival is a procession of over a hundred demons wearing ancient costumes and masks with horrible expressions.
Then nine luxurious Danjiri (festival floats) with Shirushi (object representative of a divine spirit) follow the procession of demons.
As similar festivals from across Japan, Ueno Tenjin Festival which took in the style of Kyoto Gion Festival has started and developed to express their gratitude for huge harvest and pray for good health.
The series of events was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002, then it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
This link is a site automatically translated by Google Translate.
Shinji-odori at Katte Shrine
Shinji-odori is one of the representative Folk performing arts in Mie prefecture.
People celebrated the huge harvest and prayed for keeping away from evil spirit.
Dancers carry Ochizui decorated with colorful flowers on their back and Japanese Drum called Kakko in their front.
Their movement to the slowly music is beautiful and elegance.
This link is a site automatically translated by Google Translate.
Shishi-kagura at Aekuni Shrine
Kagura means a traditional dance to dedicate to god in the scene of Shinto ritual.
There were two types of Kagura: one was called Mikagura which was held in imperial court, the other was called Satokagura which was held at private shrines.
Shishi-kagura was categorized in Satokagura, and people wore Shishi (lions) masks that was regarded as God’s body and performed at a ceremony.
This event, which was started between the late Heian period to the early Kamakura period, has been handed down orally how to dance and play Japanese traditional instruments of drums and flutes.
This event was designated as Mie Intangible Folk Culture in 1954.
This link is a site automatically translated by Google Translate.
