The Tozawa clan, who first ruled Kakunodate in Senboku, were victorious feudal lords who rose to become the lords of the Shinjo Domain. [Sightseeing Spots in Senboku City ①]

Semboku City in Akita Prefecturein 2005 (Heisei 17)a new municipality that was formed,District: Tazawako Town, andSembokuthrough the merger of three former towns and villages in

Located in the central eastern part of Akita Prefecture, the area is home to Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, and Kakunodate, popular for its samurai residences, in the south. To the east of Lake Tazawa are some of Japan's best-known hidden hot springs, such as Nyuto Onsenkyo and Tamagawa Onsen, while the west side (formerly Nishiki Village) is an area where many mines were developed during the Edo period

It is also an area where many folk performing arts and events remain, such as the Sasara Dance and the fantastical Paper Balloon Festival

Kakunodate is the second most visited city in Akita Prefecture in terms of the number of tourists. During the cherry blossom season, it is the most visited city in Akita Prefecture

Senboku District stillTownexists today as a district to which MisatoCityhas become DaisenSenboku Cityis

It is said that there were over 180 towns and villages in the areas that are now Daisen City and Semboku City during the Edo period, but from the Meiji period onwards, villages merged repeatedly, and eventually Tazawako Town, Kakunodate Town, and Nishiki Village became Semboku City, and the rest became Daisen City

Kakunodate has stations on the Akita Shinkansen, JR Tazawako Line, and Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway, making it the gateway to Senboku City

The number of tourists visiting Semboku City is second only to Akita City (7.46 million visitors per year in Akita City, approximately 4.76 million in Semboku City), and in terms of the number of visitors to an event, the Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival (attracting approximately 1.4 million visitors) takes the top spot, surpassing Akita City's Akita Kanto Festival (approximately 1.3 million visitors) (data from the 2019 Akita Prefecture Tourism Statistics. The years 2020 to 2024 are not included due to the sharp decline in tourist numbers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic)

Mr. Tozawa came from Iwate Prefecture, crossing the Ou Mountains

Excavated ruins have revealed that people have lived in the Senboku region since ancient times, mainly around Lake Tazawa. Later, during the Asuka period (late 6th century to 7th century), people advanced into the Tohoku region, which the Yamato court in Nara called Emishi, and place names in the Senboku region begin to appear in historical documents

During the Heian period, the Kiyohara clan, known for the Former Nine Years' War (1051-1062) and the Later Three Years' War (1083-1087), and later the Oshu Fujiwara clan, based in Hiraizumi (Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture), are thought to have ruled the Senboku region

In 1228 during the Kamakura period, the Tozawa clan, a powerful clan from Shizukuishi Tozawa (Shizukuishi, Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture) in Mutsu Province (including Iwate Prefecture), crossed the Ou Mountains and invaded, building a castle in Kadoya (Kadoya, Nishiki Town, Semboku City) in Semboku. One theory is that the Tozawa clan was pursued by the Nanbu clan, a powerful clan in Mutsu Province, and barely escaped with their lives to Kadoya

The Tozawa clan was of Heike origin and rose to power by siding with the Minamoto clan

which had gained power in the capital during the late Heian periodthe Taira clan. The father of Hidemori (dates of birth and death unknown), the first head of the Tozawa family, was a cousin of Taira no Masakado (903?–940), a general of the Taira clan.

However, after his father, Michimasa (birth and death unknown), was killed by Masakado, Hiromori cooperated with Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199) to eradicate his father's enemy, the Taira clan. As a reward, he was given the territory of Shizuishi Tozawa and took the name Tozawa

The Tozawa clan ruled the Senboku region for a time, based at Kadoya Castle. In 1423, the 13th head of the family, Iemori (dates of birth and death unknown),Kakunodate Castle(Kojoyama Castle Ruins/Kojoyama Park/Kojoyama, Kakunodate-cho, Senboku City), which had previously been controlled by a small local clan, and spent the Sengoku period there.

The Tozawa clan's first castle, Kadoya Castle, and its defensive base, Furuhota Castle, were destroyed during the Sengoku period

Kadoya Castle is believed to have been built in 1228Tozawa Kanemori. For about 200 years thereafter, it served as the main castle of the Tozawa clan.

After the Tozawa clan moved their base to Kakunodate Castle, their retainers defended the castle, but it was destroyed in the latter part of the Sengoku period

Kobota Castle was an important base for the Tozawa clan's northern defenses, and its lords were close relatives and vassals, but it was also destroyed in the latter part of the Sengoku period, along with Kadoya Castle

Information on Kadoya Castle Ruins and Furuhota Castle Ruins

• Facility name:Kadoya Castle Ruins
• Cultural property designation: Akita Prefecture designated historic site
• Address: 212 Oyamadazawaguchi, Nishiki-cho, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture
• Facility name:Furuhorita Castle Ruins
• Cultural property designation: Akita Prefecture designated historic site
• Location: Kamiarai Furuhota, Nishiki-cho, Senboku City　
• For inquiries, please contact: Semboku City Tourism, Culture and Sports Department, Cultural Property Preservation Office
• Phone number: 0187-43-3384
• access:
  • Public transportation: Akita Shinkansen, JR Tazawako Line, transfer at Kakunodate Station, take the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway for about 10 minutes, get off at Saimyoji Station and walk for about 25 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 45 minutes from Kyowa IC on the Akita Expressway via National Route 46, or approximately 50 minutes from Omagari IC

Google Map (Kadoya Castle Ruins)

Google Map (Furuhorita Castle Ruins)

Mr. Tozawa always sided with the winner and never knew defeat

After Iemori entered Kakunodate, the Tozawa clan gradually expanded its influence

first moved there,the Ashikaga clan. However, the Ōnin War (1467-1477), which began as a succession dispute within the shogunate and escalated into a power struggle between daimyo, soon broke out, ushering in the Sengoku period, an era of warring states. During this time, the Tozawa clan served as vassals of the Ashikaga and Oda clans. In 1590, they participated in the Siege of Odawara, when Hideyoshi dispatched troops to defeat the remnants of the Hōjō clan. As the tide of the war turned, they sided with the Tokugawa in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, always supporting the victorious side.

Masamori (1585-1648), the 21st head of the family, achieved military success at the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1602, in recognition of his achievements, he was promoted by Tokugawa Ieyasu from an outside daimyo to a fudai daimyo (a daimyo closer to the shogunate) andthe Matsuoka Domain in Hitachi Province(present-day Takahagi City, Ibaraki Prefecture). Then, in 1622, he was entrusted with the larger Shinjo Domain (present-day Yamagata Prefecture), and the Tozawa family served as lords of the 60,000-koku Shinjo Domain until the Meiji Restoration.

, stands apart from other Sasara dances.left behind by Mr. Tozawa"Tozawa Sasara," a

TheSasara dancewhich is considered its prototypeLion Dance, is a folk art passed down in Akita Prefecture. A major characteristic of both the Sasara dance and the Lion Dance is the "three lions," that is, the dance performed by three dancers wearing lion masks. Its origin is said to be that when the Satake clan, who became the lords of the Kubota domain, moved from their previous territory in Hitachi Province to Akita, their retainers performed this dance in front of their lonely lord, and it spread among the people.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Akita's Sasara Dance: Part 1] The roots of "Sasara Dance"? The clue lies in "lion dance" and "sasara"

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/41654

Akita Prefecture has many folk performing arts and traditional events that have been passed down through the generations. One such example is the "Sasara Dance" (or "Sasara"), which is primarily found in the Kitaakita region but is also found throughout Akita Prefecture (except in special circumstances, this article will refer to it as "Sasara Dance"). Sasara Dance was previously performed in over 100 villages across Akita Prefecture, but a 2013 survey conducted by the Center for Regional Environmental Studies at Akita International University as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Comprehensive Regional Traditional Culture Revitalization Project documented nearly 60 instances of "Sasara Dance" and the "Lion Dance," which is thought to be the prototype of "Sasara Dance." (2021...).

read more

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Akita's Sasara Dance: Part 2] Did the Sasara Dance originate as a way to comfort the dejected Lord Satake?

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/41715

Akita Prefecture has many folk performing arts and traditional events that have been passed down through the generations. One such example is the "Sasara Dance" (or "Sasara"), which has been passed down throughout Akita Prefecture, primarily in the Kitaakita region (except in special circumstances). Sasara Dance, Shishi Dance, and Sasara Dance are now performed in over 60 villages across the prefecture. Previously, they were performed in over 100 villages across the prefecture. However, a 2013 survey conducted by the Center for Regional Environmental Studies at Akita International University as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Comprehensive Regional Traditional Culture Revitalization Project found that nearly 60 Sasara Dances and Sasara Dances were still performed in the prefecture.

read more

However, among the many Sasara Dances and Shishi Dances that remain in the central and northern areas of the prefecture, the Sasara Dance that is handed down in the Senboku City area is the only one that is clearly different from the ones in other regions

The "Sasara Dance" of Senboku uses instruments that are not used in the "Sasara Dance" handed down by the Satake clan

The Sasara Dances handed down in Semboku City include "Tozawa Sasara" (Kamihinokinai, Nishiki-cho), "Oyamada Sasara" (Oyamada, Nishiki-cho), "Shiraiwa Sasara" (Shiraiwa, Kakunodate-cho), "Hirokunai Sasara" (Hirokunai, Kakunodate-cho), "Donokuchi Sasara" (Shiraiwa Donoguchi, Kakunodate-cho), and "Umezawa Sasara" (Umezawa, Tazawako-cho), but they are all three lion dances

from other regions,"binzasaraIt involves using a musical instrument called

Strangely enough, this "Binzasara" is not used at all in the "Sasara Dance" or "Lion Dance" of other regions. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the "Binzasara" was used in the "Sasara Dance" that was handed down in Hitachi Province and was originally performed by the retainers of the Satake clan

Senboku had its own unique dance even before the Satake clan came to Akita

The "Koyamada Sasara" handed down in Kamihinokinai (Koyamada, Nishiki-cho), where the Tozawa clan's castle was located, has this anecdote

"Iemori decides to move to Kakunodate. His vassals and people are surprised, but they are convinced by Iemori's firm resolve. (Omitted) Iemori decides to teach the people the lion dance that has been passed down among his vassals. On the day of his departure, the people perform the dance in front of Iemori."

Source:Senboku City Official Website, "On the Hill Where Cherry Blossoms Can Be Seen ~The Story of the Tozawa Clan over 800 Years~"

It is not known whether this dance is the same as the "Oyamada Sasara" that is passed down to the present day, but it shows that some kind of dance existed in Senboku before the Satake clan introduced "Sasara Dance" to Akita Prefecture

In Iwate Prefecture, where the Tozawa clan is from, there is a dance that uses the "Binzasara"

On the other hand, when Mr. Tozawa was living in Shizukuishi,Buddhist chanting sword dancethere was a unique dance in the southern region called "Nenbutsu Kenbai" (

It is said to have originated around the time of the Battle of Zenkunen in the late Heian period, and was danced to pray for the souls of soldiers who lost their lives in battle to rest in peace. The Binzasara is used in part of this Nembutsu Sword Dance

However, there are many differences, such as the way the dancers holding the sasara dance differently, and the fact that the Nembutsu Kenbai dance has not been handed down in Shizukuishi, Tozawa's hometown, and researchers seem to be divided on why the sasara is used in Senboku's sasara dance

Information about the Sasara Dance, which is associated with the Tozawa clan

• "Tozawa Sasara" (Kamihinokinai, Nishiki Town / Akita Prefecture Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
• "Oyamada Sasara" (Oyamada, Nishiki-cho / Semboku City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
• "Shiraiwa Sasara" (Shiraiwa, Kakunodate Town / Akita Prefecture Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property /)
• "Hirokunai Sasara" (Hirokunai, Kakunodate Town / Semboku City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
• "Donokuchi Sasara" (Shiraiwa Donokuchi, Kakunodate Town / Semboku City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
• "Umezawa Sasara" (Umezawa, Tazawako Town / Senboku City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property)
• Please inquire for details on the date, venue, etc
• For inquiries, please contact: Semboku City Tourism, Culture and Sports Department, Cultural Property Preservation Office
• Phone number: 0187-43-3384

• The history and traditional events of Kakunodate are introduced in [Sights of Semboku City ②]
• For more information about the "Sasara Dance" of Akita Prefecture,the Sasara Dance of Akita.please see our page on

NORIJUN

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