Oatsuragura, a Folk Performance Traditionally Attributed to the Oatsu Shrine in Hanamaki, Iwate

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Ooatsu Kagura" (Image: Yamakamai)

What is Otsugunai Kagura?

Dae-Atsuri Kagura is a form of Shinto music and dance performed at the Dae-Atsuri Shrine in the Uchikawame district of Osako Town, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Along with Ooake Kagura, there is also Take Kagura, which is dedicated to Hayachine Shrine, and these two forms of kagura are collectively called Hayachine Kagura.

Although there are no existing records of Hayachine Kagura, it is believed to be an extremely old form of kagura with a tradition of more than 500 years, dating back to the Nanbokucho Period (1644-1644). Hayachine, and is also called "yamabushi kagura" (mountain priest kagura), as it incorporates prayer patterns into the kagura performance. Since the Meiji period (1868-1912), it has been passed down to the general public.

Hayachine Kagura was registered as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage of Japan in 1976 as a rare form of kagura that conveys the flavor of medieval performing arts, because it retains in its dances elements of old folk performing arts before the development of "Noh". It was later registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.

Difference between "Otsugunai Kagura" and "Gaku Kagura

The two kagura forms, Ooekagura and Dakekagura, are collectively known as "Hayachine Kagura. There are two major differences between the two types of kagura.

(1) Tempo

Daejo Kagura

Kagura is based on seven beats and is described as "graceful" because of its slow tempo.

Dake Kagura

The tempo is fast and is described as "heroic.

(2) Kami-men

There is also a difference in the masks of the mountain gods used in the performance. It is said that this is because they are two sides of the same coin.

Daejo Kagura

The "A" form with open mouth

Dake Kagura

A-form with mouth closed

When you know there is a difference, you will want to see it for yourself.
From "Amateru Gokoku" (popular name: Onna Gokoku)

The performance of "Otsugunai Kagura

The performance of Oojikagura consists of more than 40 numbers. The shortest performance lasts about 15 minutes, while the longest lasts more than 40 minutes.

The program changes with each performance, but every performance must end with a "Gongen-mai" dance. The Gongenmai is a particularly important dance, as it is believed that the lion's head (Gongen-sama) is inhabited by the gods and Buddha, and is performed as a prayer for the safety of the people and the purification of all misfortunes in the world. During the performance, there is a scene in which the audience is asked to go up on the stage and have Gongen-sama bite their heads, which is also an expression of the people's faith.
Gongen Mai

Some of the costumes and tools used in Otsugunai Kagura

Kabuto (helmet)

There are several types of helmets that dancers wear on their heads. The most typical type is called "chicken helmet. The name "chicken helmet" comes from the fact that the helmet is decorated with male and female chickens. On both sides are large feathers called "shikoro-ita," and the shikoro-ita is decorated with congratulatory patterns such as "carp climbing a waterfall," "plover in waves," and "cranes, turtles, and pine trees.
From "Amateru Gokoku" (popular name: Onna Gokoku)

Masks

There are two types of performances in the Ooashi Kagura: one is performed with masks and the other without masks. Since the masks are inhabited by gods, the dancers become incarnations of the gods and perform prayers and other rituals. In some dances, the dancers remove the masks and perform a fast dance in the latter half of the performance. This is said to be a joyous dance in which the dancer turns back into a human being and dedicates the dance to the gods.
From "The Five Grains of Amateru" (commonly called "The Five Grains of Men")

Pickings

When performing kagura, the dancers appear wearing or carrying tools. These implements are collectively called "makimono. Three types of tools are used in almost all performances: fans, suzukis, and swords. Suzuki" is a tool consisting of a wooden stick with a tassel of hemp thread and a bell on the end. Other tools include swords, bows and arrows, wooden hammers, and many other items used for each performance.

Kuji

Most dancers wear a kuji, which is a paper string tied around both middle fingers, and it is believed that the god with the kuji = the god who can pray.

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