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Sakaki-ryu Aosokagura is said to have begun in 1807 (Bunka 4), when Suzuki Tsushima, the 32nd head priest of Aosoka Shrine, traveled to Kyoto to study under the head of the Shinto Shrine Bureau, the Shirakawa family of Kyoto Shinto Shrine Masters, and received full instruction in Kagura.
The worship hall of Aoma Shrine
Since then, it has been passed down through generations to twelve families of shrine attendants in Irisugaya, Rifu Town, near Aoma Shrine, but after World War II, the issue of succession arose. At one point, it was in danger of being abolished, but at the end of the Showa era, volunteers from the Iwakiri Youth Association took over and it survived, and in 1991 it was designated an intangible folk cultural asset of Sendai City, where it remains to this day
the Sakaki-ryu Eidai Kagura, which is handed down at Kashima Amatarashiwake Shrine in the Ogame district of Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture, is said to have been passed down from Aoma Shrine in 1848 (the 5th year of the Koka era), suggesting that further branches had branched out within Miyagi Prefecture.
Characteristics of Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura
of Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura is that "Ranjo" and "Mai ." In other words, one act (one troupe) is made up of two dance pieces.
One of the characteristics of this dance is that there is no vocalization or singing, and it is danced to the accompaniment of only drums, taibyoshi, and kagura flutes
These characteristics, as well as the programs, performance style, and costumes, are sometimes pointed out as being the "Tamba School," which includes the Kinoshita Hakusan Shrine Tamba Kagura, a branch of the Twelve Seats
According to the official website of Aoma Shrine and the information board in front of the Kagura Hall, there are 14 performances, mainly based on Japanese mythology, but some are missing
Kagura dances are mainly , at the Aoma Shrine Spring Festival on May 1st and 3rd and the Niiname Festival on November 23rd . Currently, the dances performed at each festival seem to change depending on the availability of performers.
The fourteenth performance of Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura
First performance: Mikomai
Second troupe: Hoheimai
Third seat: Tsurugimai
Fourth seat: Hokomai
Fifth seat: Divine invitation dance
6th za: Koyumi dance
Seventh za: Fishing dance
Eighth Theatre: Chitose Mai
Ninth za: Oinamai
Tenth za: Seed dance
Eleventh Theater: Suwa Mai
Twelfth Theater: Hikawa Kamimai
13th: Dragon Palace Dance (Kaizu Palace Dance)
14th Stage: Iwato Kaimai
Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura, dedicated at the Niiname-sai Festival in 2025
On November 23, 2025, the Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura was dedicated at the Niiname-sai festival at Aoma Shrine. A total of four performances were offered on this day, and although they were offered in no particular order, we will introduce them in chronological order
Kagura Hall of Aoma Shrine
The Kagura Hall, which is usually closed, was wide open and a simple black and white Kagura curtain dyed with the sacred crest of Aoma Shrine was hung
Second theater “Hoseimai”
Futodama no Mikoto appears in the second act, "Hoheimai"
Houheimai is a ritual dance in which offerings (heihaku = offerings such as cloth, paper, or other materials) are presented to the gods, and is a performance that shows respect to the gods and officially begins the festival
Futodama no Mikoto appears in the second act, "Hoheimai"
The god Futodama no Mikoto who appears in is said to be a god who, together with the god Amenokoyane, was ordered to protect the shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, in other words, Ise Shrine.
5th za “God Invitation Dance”
"Ame-no-Uzume" who appears in the fifth performance, "Kamishomai"
Kanmaneki no Mai is a dance that, as the name suggests, is meant to "invite the gods."
"Ame-no-Uzume" who appears in the fifth performance, "Kamishomai"
This is an important ritual dance for preparing the scene and inviting divine spirits to descend, and Ame-no-Uzume, who , is the deity who danced in front of the cave in the myth "Legend of the Hidden Rock Cave," creating the opportunity for Amaterasu Omikami to appear from the cave.
Ryugu-mai/Watatsumiya-no-mai is a festival dance of the sea with the theme of Ryugu (Kaizu-gu). It is one of the few dances with a strong narrative quality, depicting the journey to Ryugu, and praying for the blessings of the sea, safe voyages, and bountiful catches
Umisachihiko, who appears in the thirteenth play, "Ryugu Dance (Kaizumiya Dance)"
The characters who appear are Umisachihiko, also known as Hosuserino Mikoto, and Yamasachihiko, also known as Hikohohodemi no Mikoto.
They are said to be two of the three brothers born to Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Konohana-no-Sakuya-Bime, and while the eldest son, Hoderi-no-Mikoto, is generally considered to be Umisachihiko, in this performance it is the second son, Hosuseri, who appears as Umisachihiko, holding a fishing rod
Umisachihiko and Yamasachihiko exchange fishing rods and bows
Umisachihiko and Yamasachihiko exchange their hunting tools, fishing rods and bows, and search for prey in the opposite roles to their usual roles. However, Yamasachihiko accidentally loses his fishing hook in the sea, and after a big argument the two end up falling out
So Yamasachihiko heads to Ryugu (Kaizu Palace) to search for a fishing hook...that's the story
Umisachihiko (Hisuseri no Mikoto) soothing a Chinese lion
At one point, a Chinese lion suddenly appears, which is said to represent the "ocean waves, sometimes raging and sometimes calm." In Kagura, the a wild spirit, representing the rough side of nature.
Third troupe “Tsurugi”
"Okume no Mikoto" who appears in the third act "Tsurugi Mai"
Tsurugi Mai is a dance that uses a sword to exorcise evil spirits and demonstrates the divine virtue of martial arts
"Okume no Mikoto" who appears in the third act "Tsurugi Mai"
The story has a strong meaning of "protecting the country, pacifying the country, and driving away evil spirits," and features Okume no Mikoto, a man who is said to have accompanied Emperor Jimmu (the first emperor) on his eastern expedition
summary
In places where urbanization is progressing, the "history of the region" tends to fade away as the land undergoes renewal, but the precious folk performing art "Sakakiryu Aoma Kagura" still remains in Sendai City
Kagura Hall of Aoma Shrine
Opportunities to see it are very limited, but I hope that many people will become interested in it and that it will be passed down for many years to come
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.
