Photo report of the Hyakushika Daigun Dance (April 26, 2025: Hidaka Fire Prevention Festival) [Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture]

What is the Hundred Deer Dance?

The "Hyakushika Daigunbu" the "Shishiodori" folk art form, which is handed down mainly in the areas of the Date and Nanbu domains during the feudal era. It began as a grand performance in 1985 to commemorate the opening of Mizusawa-Esashi Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, bringing together Shishiodori groups from the former Esashi city area, regardless of their school.

The spectacular performance, featuring approximately 100 dancers dancing in unison, was highly praised, and in 2022 it won the Regional Traditional Performing Arts Grand Prize Utilization Award

commonly the "Taiko Dance" style , wear headdresses resembling deer antlers and attach drums to their waists while dancing and beating them. Their dance, swinging the long "sasara" (traditional Japanese strings) that hang from their backs and incorporating deer-like movements at key points, is both cute and heroic, captivating the audience.

The Oshu City Esashi Deer Dance Preservation Society, the organization that runs the Hyakushika Daigun Dance, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year

The Hyakushika Daigun Dance, which requires the mobilization of many groups and people, is basically only performed within the Esashi region, and can only be seen at the Esashi Jinku Festival the Michinoku Ullambana Festival in August every year

However, this time, the Oshu City Esashi Deer Dance Preservation Society, the organization that manages the , in 1985, the dance will be performed at the Hidaka Fire Prevention Festival,

it was exceptionally performed at the finale of the closing ceremony for the Esashi Sports and Culture Center (Sasara Hall), which closed at the end of March 2025 (Reiwa 7)

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Date and Nanbu folk performing art "Shishiodori" | Sasara Hall closure project on-site report [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39784

One day in March, while browsing X, I came across this post from the Kanazu School Pumice Shishiodori Preservation Society. It's only two weeks away. This is the last chance to see the lion dance at Sasara Hall. There's no "next time" for this performance, so please come and see us at the venue! 🦁#EsashiShishiodori#SasaraHall pic.twitter.com/Uiv8yYKLwz— Kanazu School Pumice Shishiodori Preservation Society (@hirosekaruishi) March 8, 2025 I've always wanted to see the folk art of deer dancing live. Furthermore, because Sasara Hall is closing, the post read, "This performance will never happen again." If you miss this chance, there will never be another chance...

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Photo report of the Hyakushika Dance at the Hidaka Fire Prevention Festival

The best way to appreciate the power of the Hundred Deer Dance is to see it in person, but I've posted as many photos as possible to convey the atmosphere as best I can. I hope I can convey even a little of the excitement of being there!

Aoiwa

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