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Many folk performing arts and traditional events have been passed down in Akita Prefecture. "Sasara Dance" (or "Sasara") is one of them, and is passed down throughout Akita, primarily in the Kitaakita region (in this article, we will refer to it as "Sasara Dance" except in special cases)
Sasara Dance was previously performed in over 100 villages in Akita Prefecture, but a survey conducted by the Center for Regional Environmental Studies at Akita International University in 2013 (Heisei 25) as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Regional Traditional Culture Comprehensive Revitalization Project recorded nearly 60 instances of Sasara Dance, as well as the Shishi Dance, which is thought to be the prototype of Sasara Dance. (Unfortunately, a resurvey in 2021 (Reiwa 3) found that six more locations had ceased performing the dance.)
"Shishiodori" and "Sasaraodori" are derived from "shishimai" (lion dance) that is performed in front of the gods
What is the history behind Akita Prefecture's " Sasara Dance
" sasara " is written in kanji as Sasaraku, Sakusaraku, or Sasara, and is often displayed as "sasara" or "sasara."
"Sasara Dance" and "Shishi Dance" have many things in common, and their names vary from region to region, with no set rule. "Sasara Dance" and "Shishi Dance" are thought to have originally been "Shishimai," which partly evolved into "Shishi Dance," and then part of that evolved into "Sasara Dance." So when did "Shishimai" first come into existence?
While it was a long time ago, we don't know for sure, but it appears to be related to the introduction of Buddhism. Around 250 BC, Ashoka, the third king of the Indian dynasty in India, the birthplace of Buddhism, devoted himself to spreading Buddhism. The king built stone pillars (images carved on top of stone pillars) and rock-cut monuments (stone monuments carved into cliffs), worshiping them as Buddhist gods and educating the people. One of these monuments, the Sarnath Pillar (still extant; on display at the Sarnath Museum in India), features four powerful-looking animals with manes. Since lions are not believed to exist in India, it is unclear whether they are lions or imaginary creatures. However, it is thought that when Buddhism was introduced to China, copies of the stone pillars were brought over and possibly brought to Japan as well
The common costume for "lion dance," "sasara dance," and "shishi dance" is the "lion head." The kanji for "shi" refers to a lion. However, this animal has not existed in Japan since ancient times. Ancient Japanese people probably called this animal, which they had never seen, a lion, and created ornaments in the shape of its face
While it was a long time ago, we don't know for sure, but it appears to be related to the introduction of Buddhism. In India, the birthplace of Buddhism, Ashoka (Ashoka), who became the third king of the Indian dynasty around 250 BC, devoted himself to spreading Buddhism. The king built stone pillars (images carved on top of stone pillars) and rock-cut monuments (stone monuments carved into cliffs), worshiping them as Buddhist gods and educating the people. One of these monuments, the Sarnath Pillar (still on display at the Sarnath Museum in India), features four powerful-looking animals with manes. Since lions are not believed to exist in India, it is unclear whether they are lions or fictional animals. However, it is thought that when Buddhism was introduced to China, copies of the stone pillars were brought there and possibly brought to Japan as well
Sarnath Stone Pillar (Copyright Free [PD])
Is the face of an animal brought over from India the prototype for the lion's head?
Lion head (reference)
The animals on the stone pillars were worshipped as gods, and eventually people began to wear masks with their faces and dance, which gave rise to the lion dance. People had never seen the animals before, but they probably thought they were noble gods because they were worshipped in the land of Buddha. They believed that offering a dance in front of the gods would surely please them, and that doing so would bring good fortune to people
Lion dances began as kagura dances performed in front of the gods at shrines during the Heian period, and eventually moved outside the shrines to be performed in front of the public. The lion masks, called lion heads, represent the gods, and lion dances were performed with prayers for bountiful harvests, peace and safety, and household safety
Akita Prefecture's "Shishi Odori" and "Sasara Odori" - Three Lions Performing a Majestic Dance
dances) at festivals, a single dancer quietly performs a dance wearing a lion's head. Akita Prefecture also has traditional lion dances, such as the Honkai Shishimai Bangaku, designated as a national intangible folk cultural asset. However, in the Shishi Dance and Sasara Dance, three dancers wearing lion's heads perform a dynamic and heroic dance. This dance, known as the "Three Lions" or "Three Dances," has been passed down throughout Akita Prefecture and the Kanto and Tohoku regions, but it is unclear when it first began. One theory is that around the Muromachi period, when kagura dances performed at shrines began to be performed in front of people at shrine festivals (known as Furyu-mai), the spectacular, flashy, and heroic form of the Three Lions was developed and became popular.
It's easy to explain why it's called "shishimai" or "shishiodori" because it involves a lion dance, but this "shishimai" was introduced to Akita Prefecture and came to be called "sasara" or "sasara odori." But why is it called "sasara" when it involves a lion dance? When I researched to solve this mystery, I was surprised to find that there are many traditional performing arts and events across the country that have the word "sasara" attached to them, not just dance. And what these all have in common is a certain musical instrument
<Suri Sasara> and <Binzasara>
The "sasara" is a musical instrument that has been used in Japan since before the Heian period. It is written in kanji as "sara" or "araki" and there are two types: "suri sasara" and "bin zasara."
Suri Sasara (Stick-shaped horn) @Kyoto University of Education "Familiar Musical Instruments"
Binzasara @Kyoto University of Education "Familiar Musical Instruments"
The "suri sasara" is an instrument made by holding two bamboo or wooden sticks about 30cm long in each hand and rubbing them together to produce sound, and is also called the "bo sasara." The sticks held in the hands have many grooves carved into them, and rubbing them together produces a loud sound. Sometimes the sound is produced by hitting them like clappers. The character "sura" seems to often refer to this instrument
Binzasara is made of thin bamboo or strips of wood, 20-30cm long, tied together with strings, which are swung to produce sound. The "Nankin Tamasudare" now performed in performing arts is thought to be a variation of Binzasara. In kanji, it is written as "Amiki," "Baiban," or "Amikiki."
Sasara, a traditional Japanese instrument often used in folk performing arts across the country
The musical instrument "sasara" is often used in folk performing arts all over Japan. One of the most famous is the " Kokiriko Bushi " dance performed in the Gokayama region (Toyama Prefecture), a World Heritage Site, which uses the "binzasara" in the dance and the "surisasara" for accompaniment.
the binzasara include the Sagami Sasara Dance, a Bon festival dance popular in western Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Binzasara Dance, a Shinto ritual performed at the Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo. The Binzasara Dance at Asakusa Shrine uses a woven bamboo binzasara.
the sasara dances performed at the annual festival of Chikura Hie Shrine in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture, is a sasara dance with such a long history that it has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.
the "Shishiodori" dance which is handed down in Akita's neighboring prefectures of Iwate and Miyagi , the two long bamboo costumes worn on the dancers' backs are also called "sasara."
This is not an instrument but a decoration, and the exact origin is unknown. One theory is that the sound of the decorative bamboo rubbing together resembles the musical instrument sasara. Another theory is that the name "sasara" came from the rustling sound it makes. Either way, it seems to have come from the sound of the bamboo rubbing together
Otari Village's "Sasarasuri" is neither a musical instrument nor an ornament, but an amazing "Sasara"
Furthermore, there is a unique event called "Sasarasuri" that takes place during the Sasara Festival at Chikuni Suwa Shrine in Otari-mura, Nagano Prefecture. Men wearing Hyottoko masks and carrying phallic-shaped sticks called "sasara" chase women around. The reason for the name "sasarasuri" is unknown
Sasara was also used in the following places
The bundled bamboo tools used to wash woks used in Chinese cuisine, the bamboo tools used to make the Japanese sweet Nerikiri, and the bamboo tools used to clear snow from Sapporo's streetcars in winter are all called "sasara," and this is apparently the origin of the word "sasakure." How interesting!
A convenient "sasara" for washing woks
The guardian deity of winter, the Sapporo City Tram, the snow-clearing train. The sasara spins and scatters snow
Is the musical instrument "sasara" used in the "Sasara Dance" of Akita Prefecture? In fact, it is hardly ever used. There are a few dances that have been handed down that use the musical instrument "binzasara," but they are in the minority. The history of the "Sasara Dance" handed down in Akita and the "sasara" of Ibaraki Prefecture, which is said to be its origin, are explained in detail in "Sasara Dance of Akita Prefecture 2."
My love of travel led me to work for a travel magazine some time ago, and now I work as a travel writer for an online publication. I have visited all 47 prefectures in Japan, focusing on the Tohoku region, and I enjoy soaking in hot springs and experiencing traditional Japanese culture, including old townscapes, lifestyles, and performing arts and crafts
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