[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] What is the history and types of Morioka Sansa Odori? The impressive Guinness World Record-holding Taiko Parade!

The Morioka Sansa Dance , synonymous with summer in Iwate Prefecture , is the earliest of the "Six Great Festivals of Tohoku," taking place from August 1st to 4th, and is the first festival to liven up summer in Tohoku.

This time, we will introduce the history and types of Morioka Sansa Odori in detail

The origin of Sansa Dance

The Sansa dance is said to have its roots in the story of "exterminating demons . " Long ago, a demon called "Rasetsu" was causing trouble in this area, and the distressed people prayed to the god of Mitsuishi Shrine for the demon to be defeated. The god heard their prayers, captured the Rasetsu, and tied it to a large rock (Mitsuishi) on the shrine grounds.

The captured demon swore never to do evil again and, as proof, pressed his handprint onto a large rock before fleeing. The people, having regained their peaceful lives, rejoiced and "Sansa dance,Sansa dance,danced around the rock where the demon had left his handprint, chanting " which is said to be the origin of the Sansa dance. This episode is also said to be the origin of the name of Iwate Prefecture, meaning "handprint on a rock."

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

A rock with a demon's hand in it? Mitsuishi Shrine, where Iwate's roots are woven. (Iwate Prefecture)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/29719

In the center of Morioka City, if you head north from the intersection in front of the courthouse where the Ishiwari Sakura cherry tree is located on Chuo-dori Street, you will see Tokenji Temple along the road. Behind the temple is a shrine called Mitsuishi Shrine. Long known locally as "Mitsuishi-sama," the shrine grounds are home to three gigantic granite boulders draped with sacred ropes. It's these boulders that are said to be the origin of the name "Iwate." The legend of Mitsuishi-sama who punished the demon: Long ago, before this area was called Iwate or Morioka, a demon known as "Rakshasa Oni" (rakshas demons) committed crimes against local residents and travelers in the area...

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Guinness World Record holder! The world's largest taiko drum parade

The Morioka Sansa Dance Festival was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2014 for having the "Largest Japanese drum ensemble."

In 2007, the event was once recognized by Guinness World Records with 2,571 participants, but in 2011, the "Sansennin Taiko" event held in Kumamoto City attracted 2,778 participants, breaking the record for the Sansa Dance.

Hoping to reclaim the Guinness World Record and to support recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, many participants gathered not only from Iwate Prefecture but from all over Japan in 2014, and the event regained its glory with 3,437 participants, far surpassing the previous record.

What kind of dance is Morioka Sansa Odori?

The Morioka Sansa Dance Festival started in 1978, but the history of the Sansa dance itself is long, and it is said to have been danced in Morioka City and the surrounding areas during the Obon festival and other occasions since the Nanbu Domain era, more than 300 years ago. There are two main types of Sansa dance : "Traditional Sansa" and "Unified Sansa"

Traditional Sansa

This dance has been passed down in various regions since the days of the Nanbu domain, and the costumes and dance style differ from region to region

There are preservation societies all over the country dedicated to passing on traditional Sansa, a precious local performing art, to future generations, and four groups have been registered as Iwate Prefecture's Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, and 15 groups as Morioka City's Intangible Folk Cultural Properties

Unified Sansa

This dance was created to coincide with the start of the Morioka Sansa Odori in 1978. It was choreographed to be danceable by anyone, taking inspiration from the traditional Sansa dances of each region

There are four types of performances in the Unification Sansa

• First Integrated Sansa
• Second verse: Tanabata Kuzushi
• Third Dance: Eyasa Dance
• Number 4: Fukko Dance

During the Sansa Dance Festival, in addition to the spectacular parade featuring unified Sansa dances, there is also the "Traditional Sansa Dance Competition," where historical and traditional dances shine

A spell to bring happiness? What does the chant "Sakkora Choiwayasse" mean?

In the Sansa dance, both the dancers and drummers chant "Sakkora Choiwayasse." When written in kanji, "Sakkora" means "happiness is coming." Another chant is "Hara, hara, harase!", which is said to mean "to ward off evil spirits." These auspicious chants ward off evil spirits and invite happiness , so be sure to join in and chant along to the rhythm of the drums!

Instruments used in the Sansa Dance

The Sansa Dance performance consists of drums, flutes, and gongs

Among them, the drum, which is synonymous with the festival, is about 50cm in diameter and weighs about 7kg, which is the equivalent of about 14 500ml plastic bottles

I have actually participated in a parade as a drummer, and the weight of the drum is quite impressive. The drummers beat the drum while swinging their bodies from side to side, jumping and hopping on one foot, and march through the parade for about 1 km

summary

Sansa Dance is a joyful dance with many stories unique to Iwate, a region with many legends about demons

Let's join in the fun of the Morioka people of that time, who defeated demons and brought happiness to the people, and enjoy Tohoku's short summer by shouting "Sakkora Choiwayasse!"

Morioka Sansa Dance <Information>

• Name: Morioka Sansa Dance
• Event period: August 1st to 4th
• Official URL:https://sansaodori.jp/

Naka

Thank you for reading this article.
I'm Naka, a writer born and raised in Tohoku.
My hobby is visiting temples and shrines, and I'm currently on my third goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) book.
I'll be sharing timely information and in-depth topics about Tohoku from a local's perspective!