Photo report of the Hyakushika Grand Dance (May 4, 2026: Esashi Jinku Festival) [Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture]

The Esashi Jinku Festival is held annually on May 3rd and 4th in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture .

On the second day, May 4, 2026, the "Hyakushika Daigunbu, " a grand performance of the folk art "Shishiodori" (deer dance ), was presented.

I hope this photo-heavy report will give you a sense of the local atmosphere!

What is the Hundred Deer Dance?

"Hyakushika Daigunbu" is a grand performance of "Shishiodori," a folk art passed down mainly in the Date and Nanbu domains during the feudal period. It began in 1985 to commemorate the opening of JR Tohoku Shinkansen's Mizusawa-Esashi Station, as a grand performance where Shishiodori groups from within the former Esashi city area gathered together, transcending different schools and styles.

The spectacular performance, in which approximately 100 dancers dance in unison, has been highly praised, and in 2022 it received the "Regional Traditional Performing Arts Grand Prize for Utilization" from the Regional Traditional Performing Arts Utilization Center

generallythe "Taiko Odori" style, wear headdresses resembling deer antlers and dance while beating drums attached to their waists.

The dance, with its long "sasara" (bamboo rattle) held on the back and incorporating deer-like movements at key points, is both charming and majestic, captivating the audience

The Shishiodori (lion dance)is explained in the following article.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Date and Nanbu folk performing art "Shishiodori" | Sasara Hall closure project on-site report [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39784

One day in March, while browsing X, I came across this post from the Kanazu School Pumice Shishiodori Preservation Society. It's only two weeks away. This is the last chance to see the lion dance at Sasara Hall. There's no "next time" for this performance, so please come and see us at the venue! 🦁#EsashiShishiodori#SasaraHall pic.twitter.com/Uiv8yYKLwz— Kanazu School Pumice Shishiodori Preservation Society (@hirosekaruishi) March 8, 2025 I've always wanted to see the folk art of deer dancing live. Furthermore, because Sasara Hall is closing, the post read, "This performance will never happen again." If you miss this chance, there will never be another chance...

The Hyakushika Grand Dance at the 2026 Esashi Jinku Festival

In the 2026 Esashi Jinku Festival,the Iwayado High School Deer Dance Clubparticipated in the Hyakushika Daigunbu (Hundred Deer Group Dance).

*A list of participating organizations is provided at the bottom of the article

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