Dainichido Bugaku | Bugaku with a history of approximately 1,300 years, dating back to the famous monk Gyoki [Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture]

situated in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture and borders Aomori and Iwate PrefecturesOhirumemuchiwhich isShrine.

Every year on January 2nd, theDainichido Bugaku,is performed here.

What is Dainichido Bugaku?

The Dainichido Bugaku is believed to have originated in 718 AD, when the Dainichireiki Shrine (commonly known as Dainichido) was rebuilt by imperial decree. It was a celebratory danceGagaku)​​who came down from the capital with Gyoki, a renowned monk who would later be counted as one of the "Four Sages" of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, and this dance was passed down to the villagers.

In the Hachimantai areaOosato,Taninai,Azukisawa, andNagaminein each of the four hamlets—Noshu—preserve and pass down different dances in each hamlet.

Locally"Zaidō (Dainichidō Bugaku)," it is performed every year on the second day of the New Year at the Yōrō Festival of Dainichireiki Shrine (commonly known as Dainichidō), with prayers for national peace, abundant harvests, and good health throughout the year.

Valuable cultural heritage registered as a "proper noun" on the Representative List of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage

cultural heritage sites listed on Japan's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO23, andthat is registered by name on the Representative Listis a valuable cultural heritage site

Incidentally, other examples"Hayachine Kagura"from Miyagi Prefecture"Akiho Rice Planting Dance"registered as proper nouns include

Dainichido Bugaku and Danburi Choja

As mentioned earlier, the reconstruction of Dainichireiki Shrine and the birth of Dainichido Bugaku are said to have occurred in the second year of the Yōrō era (718 AD), but even earlier, a legend passed down in Akita Prefecture is deeply involved in the founding of Dainichireiki Shrine. That legend"Danburi Chōja Legend.

Legend has it that a long time ago, a couple who lived around Azusawa in Hachimantai were guided by a dragonfly to a spring from which sake flowed, and they became wealthy after this. At the end of the story, the couple's daughter built a temple to mourn the couple, who died of old age

the laterDainichireiki Shrine (commonly known as Dainichi-do)is believed to be, it was built in the 17th year of Emperor Keitai's reign (523 AD) by imperial decree, so it's possible that a person known as Danburi Chōja actually existed around that time.

Dainichiryouki Shrine is a very interesting place in that it connects legend and reality

The seven dances that make up the main dances of Dainichido Bugaku also have their origins in the legend of "Danburi Choja."

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

What is "Danburi Choja"? A detailed explanation of the old story that inspired the name of the sweet potato shochu [Akita Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/10078

In May 2021, "Danburi Choja," a sweet potato shochu produced and sold by Akita Prefecture Fermentation Industry Co., Ltd., won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2021, a distilled spirits tasting event. This article details the folktale "Danburi Choja," so beloved that it became the name of a sweet potato shochu and is included in the Akita Hometown Certification Examination as a basic knowledge test about Akita. References: Japan Food Newspaper: "Akita Prefecture Fermentation Industry's 'Komegura' Wins TWSC Gold Medal, 'Danburi Choja' Wins Bronze Medal"; Akita Hometown Certification: "Basic Knowledge of Akita: The Legend of Danburi Choja"; Summary of Danburi Choja: The Danburi Choja legend in Akita is a "ton...".

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The flow of Dainichido Bugaku

Dainichido BugakuMikomaiandKanatemaiconsists of two types of dances, calledHonmaiseven types of dances called

the purification ceremony (Shubatsu no Gi)tothe ritual performance (Shuho)strongly conveys meanings such as greeting the gods, purifying the place, and preparing for the main dance performance.

After that, the main dances are performed in order, and all of these eventsthroughout the morning, from around 8:00 a.m. to noon on January 2ndtake place

• Purification Ceremony

At 8:00 a.m., Noh performers from Nagamine and Taniuchi enter the grounds from the main approach to Dainichi Hall, and from Osato and Azusawa from the back approach. The chief priest of Dainichi Reiki Shrine performs a purification ritual, and the performers exchange New Year's greetings

• Jizo Dance

After the purification ceremony, a flute is played and all four villages perform the Gongen Dance, known as the Jizo Dance

• Hatahei

The flute player, drums, brocade flags, and flags from each village ascend to the front floor of Dainichi Hall. When the flute player plays the "Hatahei," the performers line up in single file in the order of Nagamine, Taniuchi, Osato, and Azusawa, and circle clockwise in front of the shrine three times, waving their sleeves up and down

• Hanamai (flower dance)

The entire group performs the Mikomai, Kaminatemai, and Gongenmai dances to the beat of the drums. This series is called "Hanamai" (Flower Dance), and when the Gongenmai dance is halfway through, "Momioshi" (Powder Pressing) begins at the shrine

• Flour pressing (momioshi)

It represents the process of threshing flour and is dedicated by the young men of Azusawa. The dance is characterized by the shouts of "Yon-yaraya-e" and the response of "Soryansae," and circles the entire shrine grounds while dancing

• Gojoraku

Outside the shrine, the Noh performers, having finished their flower dance, circle the outer corridor three times to the accompaniment of the music of the Gojogaku, with the large and small dragon god flags from the four villages at the front

• Hataage (flag raising)

As the flutes of the Onjogaku musicians rise in pitch and the drums begin to beat repeatedly, banner bearers rush into the shrine and raise the dragon god banner from below. After catching the banner on the second floor, they throw it up onto the beams, who then lower it from the parapet

• Mikomai (Miko Dance) and Kanatemai (Kanate Dance)

Mikomai is a dance performed by Noh performers to worship the "God of Heaven," and is performed with a bell in the right hand and paper streamers in the left. Kaminatemai is a dance performed to worship the "God of Earth," and is performed with paper streamers in the right hand, opposite the Mikomai

• Large and small events

Two people, known as Daigyoji and Shogyoji, wearing eboshi hats and formal robes, come on stage and purify the stage by scattering rice while chanting, "Mandala falling, rice falling. Because it is the rice of Ariya's Pure Land, no matter how much we sow it, it never runs out."

• Shuho (ritual)

The chief priest and Hosen come onto the stage, receive a sacred seal from the priest, purify the area with it, and recite the prayer for the Yoro Festival

Honmai

• Gongenmai (Gongen Dance)

This dance is dedicated by eight Noh performers from Azusawa, and is based on the legend of the Danburi Choja, in which Prince Gonomiya, the son of Emperor Keitai and Princess Kissho, the daughter of a wealthy couple who appear in the legend of the Danburi Choja, descended to this area, climbed Gonomiya-dake (a 1,115m high mountain in Kazuno City), and disappeared

The origin of the dance is said to be when a dragon appeared on Mount Hachimori, next to Mount Gonomiya, and a lion's head was offered to appease it. The name Gonomiya-dake itself is also said to come from this legend

• Komamai (horse dance)

This dance is dedicated by two Noh performers from Osato, and is said to represent the two swift horses given by the Emperor when the Dainichi Hall was rebuilt, or the moon-colored horse ridden by Prince Gonomiya

The dancer wears a wooden horse head on his chest and dances while swinging the horse (koma) head, and one theory is that this is the prototype of the Koma Dance that is passed down throughout the country

• Uhenmai (bird dance)

This dance is dedicated by six Noh performers from Nagamine, and is said to depict the burial of Princess Kissho, the daughter of Danburi Choja and his wife, when she passed away, and is also known as the "Tomb-Consolidating Dance."

• Bird Dance

This dance is dedicated by the three children of Osato, and is said to depict the playing of the chickens kept by Danburi Choja

• Godaisonmai (Five Great Honor Dance)

This dance is dedicated by six members of the Taniuchi Noh sect, and is said to represent the male deity, Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai, incarnating as Danburi Choja himself, the female deity, Taizokai Dainichi Nyorai, incarnating as Danburi Choja's wife, and the four vassals who served him during his lifetime incarnating as the Four Great Wisdom Kings: Fugen, Hachiman, Monju, and Fudo

• Craftsman Dance

This dance is dedicated by four Noh performers from Osato and is said to be a dance of artisans that depicts the carving of the sacred object of Dainichiryou-no-Ki-shin

• Dengakumai (dengaku dance)

This dance is dedicated by six Noh performers from Azusawa, and is said to have been performed by the Danburi millionaire and his wife to cheer up the farmers for their hard work in the fields, or it is said to simply be a dance that depicts the farming scene. One theory is that it is one of the oldest of the Dengaku dances in Japan

summary

Although some aspects of the dance, such as the structure of each dance and the order of dedications, have changed over its long history, it is incredible that it has been passed down uninterruptedly for approximately 1,300 years

As it is a dedication ritual held early in the New Year, it may be difficult for anyone other than locals or neighbors to attend, but Dainichido Bugaku is one of Japan's precious cultural heritages. If you have the opportunity, be sure to go and see it

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Dainichido Bugaku, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage with a history of approximately 1,300 years | On-site report on the 2026 dedication ceremony

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/49545

Located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture, Ohirumemuchi Shrine is located in the Hachimantai district of Kazuno City, bordering Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Every year on January 2nd, the shrine offers a performance of Dainichido Bugaku, a precious folk art form with a history of approximately 1,300 years and registered as a National Important Intangible Cultural Property and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. https://jp.neft.asia/archives/49283 Dainichido Bugaku on January 2nd, 2026 On January 2nd, 2026, I visited Kazuno City to witness the Dainichido Bugaku, a performance that can only be seen once a year. The night before (January 1st), in front of Kazuno Hanawa Station. January 1st, the day before, is a day of celebration for the Tohoku region...

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Aoiwa

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