Three UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites: "Dainichido Bugaku," "Hanawa Bayashi," and "Kemonai Bon Odori" - Kazuno City's Must-See Traditional Events ①　

Kazuno City in Akita Prefectureis located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture and was formed in 1972 (Hanawa-machi,Osarizawa,-machiTowada-machi, andHachimantai-mura. Before the city was established, it formed Kazuno District together with Kosaka-machi in Akita Prefecture, and until the Edo period, the entire Kazuno District belonged to the Nanbu Domain (present-day Iwate and Aomori Prefectures).

---

The Kazuno area was at the mercy of the chaos of the Meiji Restoration

During the Meiji Restoration, all feudal domains controlled by daimyo were abolished and reorganized into prefectures under the control of the central government. In the years between the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, there was great confusion, with the original Dewa Province (Akita and Yamagata Prefectures) being split into Ugo Province (Ugo Province, almost Akita Prefecture) and Uzen Province (Uzen Province, Yamagata Prefecture), and the many feudal domains within the region being renamed prefectures. However, when the feudal domains were abolished and prefectures were established in August 1871 (Meiji 4), Ugo Province was merged into Akita Prefecture and Uzen Province was merged into Yamagata Prefecture

At that time, the attributes of some areas were changed taking into consideration regional characteristics, etc. For example, the area north of the Mogami River in the southern foot of Mount Chokai in southern Akita Prefecture was called Akumi County, and was part of Ugo Province (Akita), but after the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, it became part of Yamagata Prefecture (Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture = Yuzamachi, part of Sakata City)

---

Kazuno City was eventually incorporated into Akita Prefecture and settled down

During the Edo period, the Kazuno region, including Kazuno City, belonged to the Nanbu Domain (Morioka Domain), whose territories included Morioka (Iwate Prefecture) and Hachinohe (Aomori Prefecture). As part of the dissolution of the domains following the Meiji Restoration, the Morioka region of the Nanbu Domain became Morioka Prefecture, and the region became part of Morioka Prefecture. In 1869 (Meiji 2), the region changed affiliation to Kunohe Prefecture, Hachinohe Prefecture, Sannohe Prefecture, and Esashi Prefecture, changing affiliation to five different prefectures in one year. The shortest period of time was six days in Hachinohe Prefecture

Later, when the feudal domains were abolished and prefectures were established, the Kazuno region was incorporated into Akita Prefecture as Kazuno County. The reason for its incorporation is unclear as no official documents remain, but it is said that the Kazuno region was located on the west side of the Ou Mountains, which acted as a watershed separating the west and east of Tohoku, in other words, on the Akita Prefecture side, and the Yoneshiro River, which flows into the Sea of ​​Japan, was a major artery for life and the economy

---

Kazuno City has been inhabited since ancient times and is famous for the Oyu Stone Circle and the remains of the Osarizawa Mine

People have lived in the Kazuno region since ancient times. Many ruins from the Jomon to Heian periods have been discovered on the hills on the banks of the Yoneshiro River that flows through the Kazuno Basin. In particular, the Oyu Stone Circle, a large stone circle ruin from the late Jomon period (approximately 4,000 years ago), is registered as a World Heritage Site as one of Japan's most representative Jomon ruins

Kazuno first appears in historical records in the late 9th century during the Heian period, where it"is referred to as "Kazuno.

Around the beginning of the Kamakura period, the Kazuno region was under the control of vassals of the Nanbu clan, and remained part of the Nanbu clan's territory until the Edo period.the Osarizawa MineIt is believed that the Nanbu clan did not relinquish control of the Kazuno region, a remote area beyond the Ou Mountains, because it contained

Oyu Stone Circle Information

• Facility name: Oyu Stone Circle
• Cultural property designation: World Heritage Site (component of the "Jomon Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku"), Nationally designated special historic site
• Location: Manza, Towada Oyu, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186‑37‑3822
• Visiting hours:
• [Ruins]
• April to October: 9:00 to 17:30 (opening hours are limited)
• November: 9:00-16:00 (Closed on Mondays. Opening hours are limited.)
• Closed for winter (mid-November to mid-April)
• * Free for viewing only
• [Stone Circle Museum]
• Regular period/April 1st to October 31st 9:00-18:00
• Snowfall season/November 1st to March 31st 9:00 to 16:00
• Closed: Only during snowy season, Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays
• Admission fee: Adults 320 yen, Children 110 yen
• URL:Oyu Stone Circle
• access:
• Public transportation: Get off at Kazuno-Hanawa Station on the JR Hanawa Line, then take the bus bound for Oyu Onsen for approximately 35 minutes and get off at the Oyu Kanjo Retsusekimae bus stop

Google Map

---

Osarizawa Mine Ruins Information

• Facility name: Historic Site of Osarizawa Mine
• Cultural Property Designation: Heritage of Industrial Modernization
• Address: 13-5 Shishizawa, Osarizawa, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
• For inquiries, please contact: 0186-22-0123
• Visiting hours:
• April to October: 9:00-17:00
• November to March: 9:00 to 15:30
• Closed:
• Wednesdays only in winter (open on New Year's and public holidays)
• Admission fee:
• Mining History Museum/Free
• Tourist tunnel course: Adults 1,000 yen, Junior and senior high school students 800 yen, Elementary school students 600 yen
• *Experiences such as gold panning are available separately
• URL:Osarizawa Mine
• access:
• Public transportation: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi or bus from Kazuno-Hanawa Station on the JR Hanawa Line
• By car: Approximately 10 minutes from Kazuno Hachimantai IC on the Tohoku Expressway

---

Three traditional performing arts that have developed independently and been passed down through the generations, partly due to the influence of the Nanbu clan

The Kazuno region, which was part of the Nanbu domain until the Edo period and Akita Prefecture since the Meiji period, retains folk performing arts, customs, and language with a strong southern flavor that are somewhat different from those of neighboring Odate City and the areas along the Yoneshiro River. Kazuno City is home to many intangible folk cultural properties designated by the national, prefectural, and municipal governments, but what is particularly noteworthy is that it has three folk performing arts designated as national intangible folk cultural properties

Originally, Akita Prefecture has 17 precious folk performing arts designated as national intangible folk cultural properties, the most of any prefecture (Niigata Prefecture is second with 13), and Kazuno City is the municipality with the most designated performing arts, along with Akita City, with three of them. Moreover, all three are registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage sites, representing Japan's cultural heritage

Here, we introduce three nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties from among the many folk performing arts: "Dainichido Bugaku," "Hanawa Bayashi(Hanawa Festival float procession)," and "KemanaiBon Odori."

---

Dainichido Bugaku, the oldest Bugaku dance in Akita Prefecture, is performed at the grand festival of Dainichireiki Shrine, the guardian deity of Hachimantai

Dainichidoa dance performancededicated every year on January 2nd at the Ohirumemuchi Shrine (commonly known as Dainichido), located in Hachimantai, Kazuno City, in the northwestern part of Hachimantai. TheshrineKeitai (450?–531?, the 26th Emperor). Its origins lie in the fact that when the Dainichido, which had been temporarily abandoned, was rebuilt by the high priest Gyoki (668–749) at the command of Empress Gensho (680–748, the 44th Emperor), musicians brought from the capital performed a dance that was then passed down by the local people, making it the oldest dance performance in Akita Prefecture.

Osato,Taninai,Azukisawa, andNagamineeach preserve different dances, which areNoshuinherited by people calledMiko" and "Kanate-mai" from the four settlements, "Gongen-maiDengakufrom Azukisawa, "Koma-mai"maifrom-"-mai," and "Kosho-mai"ToriOsato, "Uhen-mai" from Nagamine, and "Godaison-mai" from Taninai. These dances are performed with masks and props, accompanied by flutes and drums. The dances at Dainichido are characterized by their ancient style, reminiscent of medieval performing arts, and by various aspects that have evolved uniquely in this region. (Reference: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Cultural Properties Online)

---

Dainichido Bugaku Information

• Name: Dainichido Bugaku
• Cultural Property Designation: Nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Venue: Dainichireiki Shrine (Dainichi Hall)
• Address: 4-1 Arata, Hanawa, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-32-2706
• Date: January 2nd every year
• Preservation group: Dainichido Bugaku Preservation Society
• URL:Dainichido Bugaku
• access:
• Public transportation: Approximately 1 minute walk from Hachimantai Station on the JR Hanawa Line
• By car: Approximately 5 minutes from Kazuno Hachimantai IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

---

Ten gorgeous floats compete against each other. The lively music of "Hanawa Bayashi" resonates all night long

"Hanawa Bayashiin the Hanawa district, the central part of Kazuno CitySakiwai Inari Shrine. The festival is held every year from August 16th to 20th. "Hanawa Bayashi" is an event that takes place on the last two days of the festival, from the 19th to the 20th, and is performed by 10 gorgeous floats decorated with genuine lacquer and gold powder, which are brought out from each neighborhood of Hanawa. The floats first gather at the temporary shrine where the deity is enshrined, and then at around 5:30 p.m., they parade through the town towards Hanawa Station accompanied by lively music played on drums, flutes, gongs, and shamisen.

The Hanawa Bayashi floats have wheels on all four corners and can be pushed by hand. However, they generally have no floor. The performers of the Ohayashi troupe, including the flute, bell, and shamisen players, have a floor to move around, but the large number of taiko drummers move on foot in time with the movements of the float

Around 8pm, the 10 floats gather in front of Hanawa Station, where a spectacular festival music battle ensues, hailed as the best in Japan, followed by a parade through the town of Hanawa, the music ringing out all night long. At dawn on the 20th, all 10 floats gather in one place, and the festival ritual, the Masugata Ceremony, is solemnly carried out. After a break from around 6am, the floats begin parading through the town again from around 11am. At around 8pm, all floats gather in front of Hanawa Station. After another festival battle, the floats depart for the red torii gate of Saiwai Inari Shrine at around 11:30pm, and the final ceremony is held upon arrival, bringing the festival to a close

The floats of "Hanawa Bayashi" are called "Koshinuke Yatai" (lower floats), and apparently they used to be found all over the country, but apart from "Hanawa Bayashi", the only other float that remains is the "Sokonuke Yatai Event" (Hanno City Intangible Folk Cultural Property) in Hanno City (Saitama Prefecture)

---

Hanawa Bayashi Information

• Name: Hanawa Bayashi
• Location: Hanawa district, Kazuno city, Akita prefecture
• Cultural Property Designation: Nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property (as "Hanawa Festival Float Event") and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (as part of "Yama, Hoko, and Float Events")
• Phone number: 0186-22-6088 (Hanawa Bayashi Festival Committee Secretariat)
• Date:
• Hanawa Bayashi / August 19th to August 20th
• Hanawa Festival / August 16th to 20th (Sachi Inari Shrine/Shinmeisha Shrine)
• Preservation Group Hanawa Bayashi Festival Committee
• URL:Hanawa Bayashi
• access:
• Public transportation: Get off at Kazuno Hanawa Station on the JR Hanawa Line
• By car: Approximately 8 minutes from Kaku-Hachimantai IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

---

The start signaled by a large drum, the solemn "Oonosaka Dance", and the "Jinku" accompanied only by song. "Kemanai Bon Dance" has been going on for 450 years

TheKemanai Bon Odoriis a Bon dance held annually from August 21st to 23rd on Honmachi Street in Kemanai, Towada, Kazuno City, in the northern part of Kazuno City, near Lake Towada and the Oyu Stone Circle. The Bon dance is mainly divided into three parts, and the start of the Bon dance is announced by the "Yose-daiko," in which large drums are beaten.

The first dance performed is the "DainosakaOdori." Facing inward as if watching the bonfires lit in the street, the dancers line up in a row and dance slowly and gracefully to the accompaniment of a large drum and flute. This dance is performed to comfort the spirits of ancestors, and is characterized by ending with clasped hands. The dancers are dressed in formal attire, with women wearing tomesode or furisode kimonos and men wearing crested kimonos, and they wear a unique hookaburi (cheek covering) that covers their faces up to their mouths. The hookaburi was worn during the time when this area was part of the Nanbu domain, where battles with other domains were frequent. Women were considered particularly beautiful, known as Nanbu beauties, and wore the hookaburi to hide their faces from soldiers of other domains.

danceJinku, which is performed with only singing and no accompanying music. The costumes are the same as those for the "Ono-saka Odori," but because it originates from a dance performed at victory celebrations during the Sengoku period, it has a strong celebratory element and also incorporates prayers for a bountiful harvest.

There are records that in the past there were dancers in costumes and that the "Oonozaka Dance" had songs, but now the costumes and singers have died out and the tradition has not been passed down to the present day

It is said that the "Ōnosaka Dance" existed around 1657. Similarly, the "Jinku" is said to have been started around 1567 when the Nanbu clan won a battle against the Hiyama Andō clan of Noshiro. Furthermore, local historian Sugae Masumi (1754-1829) wrote about theŌnosakaBon"Dance" in his work "Hinano Hitofushi," making it certain that the "Kemanai Bon Dance" was performed at least from the mid-Edo period.

---

Kemanai Bon Odori Festival Information

• Name: Kemanai Bon Dance
• Cultural Property Designation: Nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Furyu Dances from 41 locations nationwide)
• Location: Komose Street, Towada Kemanai, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-30-3939
• Dates: August 21st to 23rd
• Preservation group: Kemanai Kita no Bon Festival Executive Committee
• URL:Bon Odori Festival in Kemanai
• access:
• Public transportation: Approximately 20 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi from Towada-Minami Station on the JR Hanawa Line
• By car: Approximately 5 minutes from Towada IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

---