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— Kanazu Style Pumice Lion Dance Preservation Society (@hirosekaruishi) March 8, 2025
I've always wanted to seethe Shishiodori (deer dance), a traditional folk performance,. Furthermore,the Sasara Hallis closing down meant thatwould be a "never-before-seen performance." The phraseif I miss this, there won't be another chance"had a powerful impact.
This one word was the deciding factor, so I quickly made plans and went to the site!
What is Shishiodori (Shishiodori)?
Shishiodori (deer dance)is a folk art that has been passed down mainly in the Date and Nanbu domains during the Edo period. In it, dancers wear deer-shaped heads and cover their upper bodies with cloth while performing the dance.
There are many theories about its origin, including one that it was a memorial service for slain deer, and another that it was a game that imitated the deer playing in the mountains and fields, but the details are unknown
Depending on the region or group, the dance may be called Shishiodori (Deer Dance), Shishiodori (Lion Dance), or Shishiodori (Deer Dance), but the kanji used may be different
"Taiko Odori" (drum dance)and"Maku Odori" (curtaindance). The "Taiko Odori" style, in which dancers play drums attached to their stomachs while dancing, is mainly found in the Date domain (southern Iwate Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture), while the "Maku Odori" style, in which there are separate musicians playing the festival music and the dancers do not play the instruments, is mainly found in the Nanbu domain (central to northern Iwate Prefecture).
The area around Oshu City (formerly Esashi City), where I visited this time, was part of the Date clan's territorythe "Taiko Odori" styleis the mainstream.sasara(an ornament made by pasting shoji paper onto split bamboo to resemble a gohei, as shown in the photo) is also a characteristic of the "Taiko Odori" style.
Incidentally, because it was widespread in the Date domain,Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture,the tradition of the Shishiodori (deer dance) is also passed down in and around
The two main schools of drumming dance in the Esashi region: "Kanazu-ryu" and "Gyosan-ryu"
The Esashi region, which was originally part of the Date clan's territory, has many deer dances that are drum-dance based, andthe "Kanazu-ryu"and"Gyozan-ryu."there are two main schools:
Kanazu style lion dance
to write "shishiodori""獅子躍"is
In 1779, the transmission of the tradition was passed from Matsumori Village, Kokubu, Miyagi District (Matsumori, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture) to Ishiseki Village, Isawa District (present-day Ishiseki, Esashi Inase, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), and the "Kanazu-ryu Ishiseki Lion Dance" was born.
It is said that further letters were passed on to Ishiseki village from Inukai Seizo Nagaaki, a samurai of the Sendai domain, in 1793, and again from Tsujihashi village in Shida county (now Matsuyama Tsujihashi, Osaki city, Miyagi prefecture) in 1801
the dance then spread from Ishiseki Village to Yanagawa Village (present-day Esashi Yanagawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), giving birth to the "Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Lion Dance," which then spread further to neighboring areas.
actuallythe Kanazu-ryu Ishiseki Lion Dancepreserves written records and other documents that have been passed down through generations. (Reference:Kanazu-ryu Ishiseki Lion Dance)
Yukiyama style deer dance
to write "shishiodori""鹿踊" (deer dance)is
"Gyozan,"While there is no clear explanation for the origin of'Gyosan'and the 'Kuyomon,' one of the Date family crests, soat Sendai Castle every year" Therefore, the current"Gyozan"this"Gyosanmay be a variation ofMiyagi Prefecture Official Website - Ichihasama Town Shika Odori pdf)
There are various theories about its origin and spread
The Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school originated with a man named Matasuke of the Yamaguchi residence in Daito-cho, Higashi-Iwai-gun (present-day Daito-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture), and his son, Kizaemon, played a crucial role in its transmission. (Reference:Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Ji no Kami Shika Odori)
In 1599 (Keicho 4), Yoshirobei of Nozaki Village (present-day Esashi Yanagawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture) received instruction from Sato Chobei, the head of the Hachimando Dance in Sendai Castle town. (Reference:Gyozan-ryu Hisada Shika Odori)
In 1982, during road construction in Tokura Mitobe, Minamisanriku-cho, Motoyoshi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, a stone monument carved during the Kyoho era was discovered. It bore the inscription "Dedicated to all who are subject to the Dharma dance and offering," leading to the theory that Mitobe is the birthplace of the Gyozan-ryu Shishi-odori dance. (Reference:Gyozan-ryu Mitobe Shishi-odori)
It is said that the dance originated with Shirobei of Iritani Village, Motoyoshi District (present-day Minamisanriku Town, Motoyoshi District, Miyagi Prefecture), and spread through Kuronuma Village, Tome District (present-day Nakada Town, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture), Tokuoka Village, Isawa District (present-day Isawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), and other places. (Reference:Minahara Gyozan-ryu Mikajiri Shika Odori)
However, it is certainly unnatural to think that the traditions originated from only one source, so it may be more normal to think that they were passed down through various routes at different times, intermingling and spreading
This event is part of the Sasara Hall closure project
Esashi Gymnasium and Cultural Center (Sasara Hall)is a cultural exchange facility with a maximum capacity of 970 people, which was created in 1988 through a major renovation of the Esashi Citizens' Gymnasium, built by the former Esashi City in 1969.
However, more than 55 years have passed since its construction, and due to concerns about the building's deterioration, the current Oshu City government has decided to close and abolish the facility at the end of March 2025 (Reiwa 7)
has been held continuously since March 2024"Thank You Sasara Hall! Event Relay," whichis the final event in a series of events titled
Nine deer dance groups performed their shows
of Oshu City, performed, and thenine deer dance groups, all based in the former Esashi City areashow was a magnificent spectacle befitting the grand finale.
All nine groups will be introduced in chronological order on the day
Kanazu-ryu Pumice Lion Dance
The Kanazu-ryu Karuishi Shishiodori (pumice stone lion dance) is said to have been introduced to Esashi from Tsugihashi Village, Shida District, Miyagi Prefecture (present-day Matsuyama Tsugihashi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) about 290 years ago, and was passed down to Hirose Karuishi (present-day Esashi Hirose, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture) in 1910 (Meiji 43), where it was born. It is currently performed by the third generation.
Kanazu-ryu Pumice Lion Dance
Performance: Reiniwa (Pilgrimage Garden)
Reitei is a ceremonial dance that is the basis of all other dances and is also called "Ichiban-niwa," and is performed to pray for the repose of ancestors and for a bountiful harvest
The Jinokami Shika Odori(Deer Dance of the Earth God) has its roots in the Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school, which originated with a man named Matasuke of the Yamaguchi residence in Daito-cho, Higashi-Iwai-gun (present-day Ichinoseki City). It was then passed down from his son, Kizaemon, to a man named Enzō of Idejinokami, and continues to this day.
It is said that the relaxed dancing style and delicate footwork retain the characteristics of the Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school at the time, and in 1977 it was designated an intangible folk cultural asset of the former Esashi city
Okuyama Gyosanryuji no Sacred Deer Dance
Performance: Gun Dance
The performance begins with a hunter firing his gun at a frolicking herd of deer. The deer, having hidden and passed by Yamatachi, quietly get up and check to make sure they are safe, but one of them goes missing
After a frantic search by the stag (neutral) and his companions, the deer is finally found, lying motionless. The stag (neutral) and his companion lament and sing a song to each other
Okuyama Gyosanryuji no Sacred Deer Dance
Related links for Okuyama Gyosanryu Chi no Sacred Deer Dance
The Kanazu-ryu Ite Shishiodori (lion dance)is said to have originated in 1903 when it was introduced to Ite after being passed down from Ishiseki to Yanagawa.
Kanazu style Ide lion dance
Performance: Island Mist
Along with Satsuniwa and Kirikaeshi, it is considered a ceremonial dance, but it is danced to a completely different rhythm of drums and movements, and it is a dance that expresses the rich expressions of the lion, as it plays and frolics until a scuffle breaks out, then returns to discipline and playfulness
The Gyozan-ryu Kakugake Shika Odori, like the aforementioned Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Jinokami Shika Odori, is said to have originated from the transmission of the Ideji no Kami (earth god). The costumes of the "Neutral" members are dyed with waka poems that symbolize the Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school.
Yukiyama-ryu Kakake Rakuo
Performance: Scarecrow Dance
A group of deer encounter a scarecrow in a human settlement. They take turns watching the situation, wary of what they see as something unknown. When they realize there is no danger, they are relieved and begin playing again
This dance allows you to see the deer's various changes in behavior, such as vigilance, observation, anxiety, and relief
Yukiyama-ryu Kakake Rakuo
Kanazu Ryuseki Lion Dance
The Kanazu-ryu Ishiseki Shishiodori is a group considered to be the originator of the Kanazu-ryu style of lion dance, whichis passed down in the Esashi region. It has been passed down for over 180 years and 12 generations since it was introduced in 1779 from Matsumori Village, Kokubu, Miyagi County (Matsumori, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture).
Unfortunately, the group's history was interrupted for a time, but it was revived in 2002, and the 15th generation is currently active
Kanazu Ryuseki Lion Dance
Performance: Scarecrow Dance
A group of deer encounter a scarecrow in a human settlement. They take turns watching the situation, wary of what they see as something unknown. When they realize there is no danger, they are relieved and begin playing again
This dance allows you to see the deer's various changes in behavior, such as vigilance, observation, anxiety, and relief
The Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Lion Danceoriginated in 1828 when it was passed down from Ishiseki Village to Yanagawa Kurisawa. It is believed that the lion dance spread from Yanagawa to many other regions.
Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Lion Dance
Performance: Kirikaeshi
Along with Reitei and Shimagiri, it is considered a ceremonial dance
This dance emphasizes the movement of the Shika Dance, and is the most dynamic dance with lots of going back and forth, flying and leaping
The Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Mochida Shika Odoriis a deer dance that is said to have been passed down from the Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Kamosawa Shika Odori of Hirose (present-day Hirose, Esashi, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), which has the oldest tradition, said to have originated in 1332.
In 1917, the young Emperor Showa, who was then Crown Prince, viewed the curtain, and with the permission of the Imperial Household Agency, the"Five-Three Paulownia Crest"was dyed onto the top of the well-framed front curtain.
Okuyamagyo Upstream Mochida Deer Dance
Play: Hiding the female deer
In a herd of frolicking deer, a mad deer hides a female deer, and the male deer searches for her and a battle ensues
The story goes that the stag asked his friends for help and somehow managed to get it back
Okuyamagyo Upstream Mochida Deer Dance
Related links for Okuyamagyo-ue Mochida Shikaodori
The Kanazu-ryu Nodazaki Shishiodori (lion dance)was established in 1971 when the dancers joined the Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Shishiodori school and received full instruction in 1981. Since 2012, it has been known as the Kanazu-ryu Nodazaki Shishiodori and is currently in its third generation.
Kanazu School Notesaki Lion Dance
Play: Hiding the female deer
In a herd of frolicking deer, a mad deer hides a female deer, and the male deer searches for her and a battle ensues
The story goes that the stag asked his friends for help and somehow managed to get it back
The Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Masuzawa Shika Odori danceis said to have originated in 1827, when it was passed down from the then Ide Village in Esashi District. It is currently being carried on by the 13th generation.
Okuyama Gyozanryu Masuzawa Deer Dance
Performance: Reiniwa (Pilgrimage Garden)
Reitei is a ceremonial dance that is the basis of all other dances and is also called "Ichiban-niwa," and is performed to pray for the repose of ancestors and for a bountiful harvest
Okuyama Gyozanryu Masuzawa Deer Dance
Okuyama Gyozanryu Masuzawa Deer Dance Related Links
transcending the boundaries of different schools and styles"Hyakushika Daigunbu" (Great Deer Dance),was a unified dance performance called
held every yearthe "Esashi Jinku Festival"and"Esashi Summer Festival". While the deer dance is usually limited to eight deer, this performance features a grand group dance performed by dancers from all different groups and schools,the Sasara Hallperformance.
The folk performing art "Shika Odori" has a long tradition and is simply cool! There are many more groups in Iwate as a whole, and the number is even greater if Miyagi Prefecture is included
If you're interested but don't know where to go see it, why notvisit the Esashi Jinku Festival, held every May 4th, orthe Esashi Summer Festival, held every August 16th, and experience the power of the Hyakushika Grand Dance for yourself?
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
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