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"Ennen" is a word that is not very familiar to most people .
This performing art has been performed in temples since the mid-Heian period, but it gradually declined from the Muromachi period and is said to have almost completely disappeared by the Edo period. However Ennen is still practiced at has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan
This time, we will take a closer look at what Ennen means, using the Ennen Dance of Motsuji Temple
What is Ennen?
Ennen is a celebratory performance held at temples, and is a general term for a mixture of various performing arts such as Bugaku, Sangaku, and Kabu. It is mainly performed by monks and young children after Daihoe ( a large-scale ritual gathering where monks and believers gather to preach Buddhist scriptures and spread the teachings, hold memorial services for Buddha, and hold memorial services for the dead).
Although there are probably exceptions, broadly speaking, Kagura can be understood as , and Ennen is a celebratory performance held at temples
Motsuji Temple
According to the explanation at Motsuji Temple, the official name of "Ennen" is "Karei Ennen .
"Ennen" is a word meaning "longevity, long life," and , singing, and dancing lead to longevity . In other words, it is said that from the teaching that "enjoying singing and dancing leads to longevity," the singing and dancing performed in the hope of longevity came to be collectively called "ennen."
Ennen still remains in various parts of Japan
As mentioned above, ennen is a performing art that gradually declined from around the Muromachi period and was almost completely lost by the Edo period. There are only 12 performing arts that have been registered as intangible folk cultural properties as "ennen" or "something similar to ennen" on Cultural Heritage Online
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 no Mai dance, handed down at Motsuji Temple, along with the Jōgyō-sanmai-ku ritual, which has been performed continuously since the temple's founding, has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. The Matarajin festival, held on January 20th at the snow-covered Jōgyō-dō Hall, is commonly referred to locally as the "Hatsuyasai" (20th-day festival). Around 1882, the Sominsai, a ritual to ward off evil spirits, began to be held in conjunction with the festival. However, due to the large number of spectators who flocked to the temple and caused damage to the temple grounds, the Sominsai was discontinued around 1955 and replaced by a food offering ceremony. Men and women of all ages who are in their unlucky years gather in front of Hiraizumi Station at night, march to Jōgyō-dō Hall by torchlight, offer vegetables such as daikon radish and Chinese cabbage before the Buddha, and pray for good health and safety for their families. After the ancient Jōgyō-sanmai-ku ritual, the Ennen no Mai dance is dedicated to the horaku (hogaku) ritual. "Ennen" means "longevity and longevity." Because entertainment, song, and dance are believed to lead to longevity, the term "ennen" collectively refers to the song and dance performed after Buddhist services at major temples. These dances praise the Buddha and the temple, and celebrate the eternal life. The musical styles vary, with elegant compositions incorporating Bugaku-style dances based on historical Chinese stories and Dengaku dances, showcasing the various arts popular at the time. None of the original temple buildings remain at Motsuji Temple today, and the Jogyodo Hall was rebuilt in 1732. Buddhist statues, altar implements, books, and other treasures are later artifacts, with almost nothing remaining from the temple's founding. Despite this, the formless dance of ennen has been passed down to the present day, unchanged from 800 years ago.
during the "Autumn Fujiwara Festival" held in various places in Hiraizumi Town , "Young Woman/Negishi," "Road Dance," and "Rojo," were performed at Motsuji Temple.
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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