Hiyoshi Shrine Festival

In Niigata, my hometown, there is Hiyoshi shrine festival, on every September 1st. Hiyoshi shrine is in Itoigawa city, and it is on the south-east of Niigata. There is a dancing handed down from Kyoto about 500 years ago. It is called Oteteko-mai, and it is one of Einen public entertainment handed down to Niigata. Einen was come into the mid-Heian era. It was prosperous for the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

Some adults and 4 children dance Oteteko-mai on a stage. They hardly move their positions, and they open and close their hands, feet and fans, and walk slowly for 30 minutes during they dance Oteteko-mai. In addition, there are some kind of dancing, for example, Kururi-mai (2 kids dance it.), Hoko-mai (4 kids of 10 years old dance it.), Kagami-mai (2 kids of 4 years old dance it.), Hana-mai(2 kids of 8 years old dance it.), Yumi-mai(2 kids of 12 years old dance it.), Tanemaki (2 adults dance it.), Shime-mai (A adult dances it.), Banzai-mai (2 adult.) and Shishimai (2 adults.).

During dancing, the music is being played. A lot of children and adults beat drums, play the festival flutes and sing songs. They practice musical instruments and songs for Ohayashi (This is musical accompaniment.). This is slow, but beautiful music. Moreover, kimono and hair-ornament are made by local people. These are excellent workmanship.

You should visit Hiyoshi shrine festival!