Inheritance of local culture, protection, and dissemination
Take Kagura (Hayachine Kagura) Preservation Meeting

Take Kagura 1

Kagura-mai conveyed as a dedicated kagura (Shinto dance and music) to Hayachine Shrine in Osako-Take area, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. In 1976, it became an important intangible folk cultural property of Japan, and in 2009, it was registered as an intangible cultural property of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), it was recognized by the world as an intangible cultural property common to all mankind. It is said that it has a history of more than 500 years as Kagura of Hayachine Shrine, and Hayachine Mountain, which is known as a sacred mountain of mountain worship, and Gongen Faith and Take Kagura are closely related.
For generations, it has been the custom for the eldest son of a village to inherit Kagura. It has been protected only in the village and continues to this day. The successor was treated generously by the rulers as a person who was involved in the Shinto rituals of perfect health and rich harvest, and served as Kagura exclusively. After the Meiji era, each family has been engaged in Kagura while working in the mountains.
It has movements and dances, which become predecessor of Nohgaku, and it is also the subject of research as the origin of Nohgaku. In addition, the performance has been invited to many places in Japan and overseas. It contributes to the inheritance, the protection of the local culture, and the dissemination of the information. The program includes 'Tori-mai,' 'Okina-mai,' 'Sanbaso,' 'Gogoku-mai,' 'Amakudari-mai' and 'Fusho-mai' of the god dance, 'Onna-mai' and 'Gongen-mai and more.

Address: 1-10 Uchikawame, Osako-cho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture

Website: Hanamaki Tourism Association
https://www.kanko-hanamaki.ne.jp/en/cultural/