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— Kanazu Style Pumice Lion Dance Preservation Society (@hirosekaruishi) March 8, 2025
I had always wanted to see the folk art of Shishiodori . Furthermore, Sasara Hall was closing, I was told that performance would never happen again . If you miss this one, there will never be another one were quite devastating.
This one word was the deciding factor, so I quickly made plans and went to the site!
What is Shishiodori (Shishiodori)?
Shishiodori is a folk performing art that has been passed down mainly in the areas of the Date and Nanbu domains during the Edo period, and is performed by dancers wearing deer heads and covering their upper bodies with cloth.
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
the "Taiko Dance" and "Baku Dance" styles . The "Taiko Dance" style, in which the dancers dance while playing drums attached to their abdomens, is found mainly in the territory of the Date Domain (southern Iwate Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture), while the "Baku Dance" style, in which there are separate musicians playing the festival music and the dancers do not perform any music, is found mainly in the territory of the Nanbu Domain (central to northern Iwate Prefecture).
The area around Oshu City (formerly Esashi City) where we visited this time was the territory of the Date Domain, so the "Taiko Drum Dance" style seems to be the mainstream, and a sasara (an ornament made of split bamboo with shoji paper pasted on it, resembling a sacred wand) as shown in the photo seems to be a characteristic of the "Taiko Drum Dance" style.
Incidentally, since it was widespread in the territory of the Date clan, the tradition of the Shishi Odori has also been passed down in the area around Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture
The two main schools of drumming dance in the Esashi region: "Kanazu-ryu" and "Gyosan-ryu"
The Esashi region, which was originally the territory of the Date clan, has many taiko drum-style deer dances, and there are two main schools of dance: the Kanazu school and the Gyozan school
Kanazu style lion dance
to write "shishiodori" is as "shishiodori."
In 1779, a message was sent from Matsumori Village, Kokubu, Miyagi County (Matsumori, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture) to Ishiseki Village, Isawa County (present-day Inase Ishiseki, Esashi, 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
It then spread from Ishiseki Village to Yanagawa Village (now Esashi Yanagawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), where the " Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Lion Dance" was born, and it is said to have spread from there to the surrounding areas.
In fact, Kanazu Ryusekiseki Shishiodori has many books and documents that have been passed down through the generations stored there. (Reference: Kanazu Ryusekiseki Shishiodori )
Yukiyama style deer dance
to write "shishiodori" is as "shikaodori."
There is no clear description of the origin of "Gyozan,""Gyozan""Kuyomon," one of the Date family crests, on it so that it would be performed at Sendai Castle every year." Therefore, the current "Gyozan" may have been a variation of this "GyozanMiyagi Prefecture Official Website - Ichihasako Town Shikaodori PDF )
There are various theories about its origin and spread
Its roots lie in the Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school, whose founder was a man named Matasuke of the Yamaguchi residence in Daito-cho, Higashiiwai-gun (currently Daito-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture), and his son, Kizaemon, played an important role in spreading the dance. (Reference: Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Earth Sacred Deer Dance )
In 1599, Yoshirobei of Nodazaki Village (present-day Esashi Yanagawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture) received instruction from Sato Chobei, the dance master of the Hachimando dance hall under Sendai Castle. (Reference: Gyozan-ryu Hisada Shikaodori )
In 1982, a stone monument carved during the Kyoho era was discovered in the Mito area of Tokura, Minamisanriku-cho, Motoyoshi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, during road construction work. This stone monument read, "All offerings are for the Dharma dance and memorial service," which led to the theory that the Mito area was the birthplace of Gyozan-ryu Shishiodori. (Reference: Gyozan-ryu Mitobe Shishiodori )
It is said to have originated from Shirobei of Iriya Village, Motoyoshi County (currently Minamisanriku Town, Motoyoshi County, Miyagi Prefecture), and spread through Kuronuma Village, Tome County (currently Nakata Town, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture), Tokuoka Village, Isawa County (currently Isawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), etc. (Reference: Mina Hakugyozan-ryu Mikagejiri Shikaodori )
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 Sports and Culture Center (Sasara Hall) is a cultural exchange facility with a maximum capacity of 970 people that was built in 1988 after extensive renovations. It was formerly the Esashi Civic Gymnasium, which was built by the former city of Esashi 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)
is the final event of the "Thank you Sasara Hall! Event Relay" , which has been held continuously since March 2024
Nine deer dance groups performed their shows
On the day, nine deer dance groups from the former Esashi city , and the performances were spectacular and worthy of being the finale of the festival.
All nine groups will be introduced in chronological order on the day
Kanazu-ryu Pumice Lion Dance
The Kanazu-ryu Kamishi Shishi-odori is said to have been transmitted to Esashi from Tsujihashi Village, Shida County, Miyagi Prefecture (now Matsuyama Tsujihashi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) approximately 290 years ago, and was first taught to Hirose Kamishi (now Hirose, Esashi, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture) in 1910, and is currently being performed by the third generation master.
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 Ji-no -Kami Shika-Odori has its roots in the Gyozan-ryu Yamaguchi school, whose founder was a man named Matasuke of the Yamaguchi residence in Daito-cho, Higashiiwai-gun (now Ichinoseki City), and was passed down to the present day by his son, Kizaemon, who passed it on to a man named Enzo of Iteji-no-Kami.
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
Kanazu-ryu Ite Shishi Odori was first transmitted from Ishiseki to Yanagawa and then to Ite in 1903, where it was born.
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 Tsunokake Shikaodori , like the aforementioned Okuyama Gyozan-ryu Chi no Kami Shikaodori, is said to have been born from instruction from the god Iteji. The costumes of the "Churyu" dancers are dyed with waka poetry that symbolizes 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
Kanazu Ryusekiseki Shishiodori is a group that is said to be the originator of the Kanazu style of dance that is passed down in the Esashi region. It has been passed down for over 180 years, through 12 generations, since it was first 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
Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Shishi Odori was born in 1828 when it was taught to Yanagawa Kuriozawa by Ishiseki Village. It is said that Shishi Odori spread from Yanagawa to many other areas.
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 Okuyamagyo-ryu Mochida Shikaodori is a deer dance that was born in 1332 and is said to have been passed down from the Okuyamagyo-ryu Kamozawa Shikaodori in Hirose (present-day Esashi Hirose, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture), which has the oldest tradition.
In 1917, the young Emperor Showa, who was then Crown Prince, visited the palace, and with permission from the Imperial Household Agency, the five-three paulownia tree crest was dyed at the top of the 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
Kanazu-ryu Nodezaki Shishi-odori was born in 1971 when he became an apprentice to Kanazu-ryu Yanagawa Shishi-odori and was taught all the dance techniques in 1981. In 2012, it was renamed Kanazu-ryu Nodezaki Shishi-odori, and is currently being passed down to the 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 Shishiodori is said to have originated in Ide Village, Esashi County, in 1827. It has now been passed down to 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
was a simultaneous performance that transcended the boundaries of different schools, "Hyakushika Daigunbu."
The Hyakushika Daigun Dance is a deer dance performance that is shown at the annual Esashi Jinku Festival and Esashi Summer Festival . The dance is usually performed by eight deer, but this time it was performed by a group of people from all over the world, regardless of their school or group Sasara Hall .
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 to see it, why not head to the Esashi Jinku Festival, held every year on May 4th , or the Esashi Summer Festival, held every year on 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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