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This performing art was practiced in temples from the mid-Heian period, but gradually declined from around the Muromachi period, and is said to have almost ceased to be performed during the Edo period.HoweverEnnen is still preserved at MotsujiNational Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and is designated as a
This time,the "Ennen Dance of Motsuji Temple"as a reference, we will delve deeper into what Ennen is all about.
What is Ennen?
Ennenrefers to celebratory performances held at temples, and is a general term for a variety of performing arts such as dance, music, and song. It is mainly performed bya large Buddhist service(a large gathering of monks and believers to lecture on Buddhist scriptures, spread teachings, honor Buddha, or perform memorial services for the deceased).
While there may be exceptions, broadly speaking,"Kagura", and"Ennen" as a celebratory performing art performed at Buddhist templescan be understood as
Motsuji Temple
According to the explanation at Motsuji Temple, the formal name of "Ennen" is"Karei Ennen".
"Kōrei"is a word that means "longevity" or "long life," andof singing and dancing to celebrateand enjoy life is linked to longevity. In other words, the teaching that "singing and dancing to enjoy oneself leads to longevity" led to the general term "Ennen" being used to refer to songs and dances performed with the wish for a long life.
Ennen still remains in various parts of Japan
As mentioned earlier, Ennen is a performing art that gradually declined from around the Muromachi period and was almost completely lost by the Edo periodCultural Heritage Online. There are only 12 groups that perform Ennen or something similar to Ennen registered as intangible folk cultural properties on the
Of course, there may be some forms of performing art that have been passed down even if they have not been registered as cultural properties, but they are still valuable performing arts. It is also interesting that many of them remain in the Tohoku region.
List of Ennen registered as intangible folk cultural properties
*Includes important intangible folk cultural properties, registered intangible folk cultural properties, and intangible folk cultural properties that require measures such as record creation.
The "Longevity Dance" at Motsuji Temple
Motsuji Temple "Longevity Dance"
The official website of Motsuji Temple explains the Ennen no Mai as follows:
The Ennen dance, a tradition passed down at Motsuji Temple, along with the Jogyo Sanmai ritual, which has been performed continuously since the temple's founding, is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The Matarajin festival, held on the 20th of January in the snow-covered Jogyo-do Hall, is commonly known locally as the "Hatsuka Yasai" (20th Night Festival). Around 1882, the Somin Festival, a ritual to ward off evil, began to be held in conjunction with this Hatsuka Yasai. However, due to the large number of spectators who flocked to the event and the resulting damage to the temple grounds, the Somin Festival was discontinued around 1955, and replaced by a food offering ceremony. Men and women of all ages in their unlucky years gather at Hiraizumi Station at night, march to the Jogyo-do Hall with torches leading the way, and offer vegetables such as radishes and Chinese cabbage before the Buddha, praying for good health and safety for their families. Inside the Jogyo-do Hall, after the ancient Jogyo Sanmai ritual, the Ennen dance is performed as a religious offering. "Ennen" means "long life" or "longevity." The term "Ennen" came to be used as a general term for the songs and dances performed after Buddhist ceremonies at major temples, as entertainment, singing, and dancing were associated with longevity. These performances praised Buddha and the temple and celebrated eternal life, but the musical styles varied. Some were elegantly arranged, such as question-and-answer sessions based on Chinese historical stories with dances in the style of court music, or Dengaku dances, and it seems that they celebrated by making full use of the popular performing arts of the time. Currently, there are no original temple buildings at Motsuji Temple, and the Jogyo-do Hall was rebuilt in 1732. The treasures such as Buddhist statues, Buddhist implements, and books are also from later periods, and in reality, almost nothing remains from the time of its founding. Nevertheless, the intangible Ennen dance continues to be passed down through time, in the same form as it was 800 years ago.
held in various locations throughout Hiraizumi Town"Autumn Fujiwara Festival"during the"Young Woman/Priest," "Road Dance," and "Old Woman.", were performed
Jogyodo Hall of Motsuji Temple
Young women and priests
Dance of Ennen "Young Woman and Priest"
Characterized by the appearance of performers wearing gold eboshi hats and mizuginu (a traditional Japanese traditional garment worn by a warrior), this fantastical dance has no beats such as drums or flutes, and is accompanied only by the sound of hand-waved bells.
Dance of Ennen "Young Woman and Priest"
"Wakame" is a dance that recreates the legend that a goddess descended from Kamakura to this area long ago and performed a dance. It is also known as "Bandō Dance" after Bandō, the ancient name of the current Kanto region, which includes Kamakura.
Dance of Ennen "Young Woman and Priest"
Partway through the performance, a negi (a priest who serves at a shrine) appears and becomes involved with the young woman.
Road dance (Karabyoshi)
Dance of longevity "Romai"
"Romai" is also known as "Karabyōshi" and features two children, one of whom dances the upper part and the other the lower part.
Dance of longevity "Romai"
It is said that this is a recreation of the story that goes back to when Ennin, the founder of the Buddhist sect of Buddhism, traveled to China in the Tang Dynasty, and suddenly two young boys appeared at the foot of Mount Seiryo and began dancing. Later, when Ennin returned to Japan and founded Motsu-ji Temple in Hiraizumi, the young boys appeared again and began dancing.
Dance of longevity "Romai"
Four monks beat the drums to the rhythm of the dance, and the dancers change in time with the first and second verses that are read aloud.
Old woman
Dance of Longevity "Old Woman"
The dance begins with an old woman with a hunched back squatting in front of the altar and performing strange movements, and is performed only to the sound of hand-waving bells.
Dance of Longevity "Old Woman"
Although feminine gestures can be seen here and there, the strange movements and the pitch-black mask create a slightly eerie atmosphere, even though the dance is just accompanied by the sound of bells, just like the "Young Woman" dance.
Dance of Longevity "Old Woman"
lastly
In addition to the Ennen Dance of Motsuji Temple, there are other pieces such as "Dengaku Dance," "Norito," "Komai," "Imperial Envoy Dance," "Ryūchō," "Sotsuba Komachi," "Yorobi," and "Ubasuteyama."
Although it is unclear when and which performances will be performed, there are regular opportunities to see the dances throughout the year, such as at the Fujiwara Festival in spring and autumn, the Iris Festival, and the Hagi Festival, so why not give Ennen, a precious performing art that has survived to the present day, a chance to see it 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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