August dance in Honmachi

Overview

Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori is a traditional performing art handed down in the Honmachi district of Shintomi, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki County, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is a water deity festival event performed to pray for abundant harvests and protection from disease and disaster. On October 24, 1962, it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kagoshima Prefecture, and is currently preserved by the Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori Preservation Society. This dance is one of the hachigatsu odori (August dances) that were once performed in over 70 locations along the Kimotsuki River, and now only the Honmachi tradition remains as a valuable cultural asset.

The Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori consists of two parts: the kane odori (gong dance) held at dusk, and the hachigatsu odori (August dance) performed at night. It was originally held on August 18 of the old lunar calendar, but is now held annually on the fourth Saturday of September, with omote years open to the public and ura years held only within the community, alternating each year. In recent years, the event alternates between omotodoshi (public year) and uradoshi (private year), with the public year open to general viewers and the private year held within the settlement only. There are multiple theories regarding the origin of the dance, and the detailed history remains unclear in many aspects, but it is said to date back to the Edo period.

History and Origin

There are several theories regarding the origin of the Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori. According to one tradition, in the spring of 1671 (Kanbun 11), the Takayama irrigation canal (Shintomi) construction was completed, developing 2,000 koku of rice production, and the dance was dedicated to commemorate the erection of the commemorative monument for the new canal. Other theories include celebrations for land development, completion of irrigation canals, harvest festivals, memorial services, and prayers for peace and safety. According to oral tradition, this event originated from the water deity festival rituals of the entire settlement, combining the characteristics of a Shinto ritual performing art with the nature of prayers and thanksgiving to the divine spirits.

Regarding the transmission route of the August dance, according to historical and folk materials from Kimotsuki Town, one theory suggests that the dance began in the areas around Nami Port and Kashiwabara Port, which flourished as trading hubs with Osaka and the Ryukyu Kingdom, and then spread upstream along the Kimotsuki River. The basis for this theory includes the fact that the number of songs preserved in each area decreases as one moves upstream. The reason the dance spread only to riverside areas is thought to be because these areas had environments conducive to developing irrigation canals for rice field development, and the dance was incorporated to commemorate such development.

Common features of August dances transmitted in various regions include the graceful hand movements of the southern style seen in the turning of the wrists and the Kamigata (Osaka) culture appearing in the songs. The lyrics include stories about the Forty-Seven Ronin (Chushingura), which were forbidden to be sung openly at the time. From this, it is speculated that popular songs from Osaka and the elegant hand movements from the Ryukyu Kingdom merged on the banks of the Kimotsuki River and spread to various regions.

The dance was interrupted during World War II but was revived in the mid-Showa 20s (around 1950). However, facing the serious problem of a shortage of successors, in June 2008, the Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori Preservation Society made the decision to broadly recruit learners of the dance and musical instrument performers from within the town, rather than limiting participation to the Honmachi Promotion Association. They chose to preserve the dance rather than adhere to long-standing customs, and began holding classes for dance and instrument performance, recruiting participants from outside the settlement. This decision has allowed the August dance to continue to the present day.

Highlights

Kane Odori (Gong Dance) Hora Performance At dusk, as the sky turns red, the kane odori begins as hora (a Buddhist-style musical offering). Participants walk around visiting three water deity shrines in Honmachi, beating gongs and drums in rhythm. In front of each shrine, they form a circle, place their hands on their hips, and perform a simple, ritualistic dance moving only their feet and hands while singing to the accompaniment of gongs and drums.

Melancholic Sounds of the Kokyu As night falls, the shamisen, kokyu (a traditional Japanese bowed string instrument), and taiko drums on the yagura (raised platform) erected on the main street of Honmachi produce a plaintive melody. The sound of the kokyu is particularly valued for its ancient and sorrowful tone, evoking a sense of nostalgia. When the singer on the yagura begins to sing, the dancers form a circle and start dancing.

Graceful Wrist Movements The most distinctive feature of the dance is the rhythmic movement of the wrists and fingers. These hand movements are described as graceful hand movements of the southern style, strongly reflecting the influence of Ryukyuan culture. Dancers form a circle around the yagura, and the unique movements of their hands create a beautiful dance that captivates viewers along with the music.

Traditional Costumes Male dancers wear yukata (light cotton kimono) with black crested haori (half-coat), jingasa (woven hats made of igusa rush), and zori sandals. Female dancers wear yukata with black obi (sashes), and kimono with padded hems and hem patterns. Middle-aged women wear okazumizukin (hooded head coverings) with white headbands, and some hang gold and silver foil paper pieces on both sides of their faces. These costumes transmit the customs of the Edo period to the present day.

Circle Dance Around the Yagura The central feature of the August dance is the circle dance performed by dancers around the yagura. The onzu (skilled dancer) leads at the front, while singers on the yagura sing dance songs one after another. There were once 14 dance songs, but now only 9 are sung, including Goshaku, Hittono, Okume Kudoku, Shianbashi, Manjiro Kudoku, Ohara Mame, Hiraza Kudoku, and Sendo Shu.

Significance as a Meeting Place for Young Men and Women The August dance served not only as the greatest entertainment and recreation in farming villages but also held social significance as a meeting place for young men and women. According to tradition, after the break (nakaagai) during the dance, costumes became less standardized, with some participants applying soot (heguro) to their faces, wearing torn clothes, or performing comical movements. This free atmosphere played a role in promoting community interaction.

Event Information and Access

• Date: Annually on the fourth Saturday of September, from approximately 15:00 to 21:00. Check the official website for the latest schedule and availability.
• Location: Around Honmachi Community Center, 276 Shintomi, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki County, Kagoshima Prefecture (Honmachi Chuo Machimichi)
• Admission: Free (during public years)
• Contact: Kimotsuki Town Lifelong Learning Division (Phone: 0994-65-2594), or Kimotsuki Town Historical and Folk Museum (Phone: 0994-65-0170)
• Access: Approximately 50 minutes by car from the Taniyama Ferry Terminal, approximately 110 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport
• Parking: Approximately 30 spaces (free)
• Cultural Property Designation: Designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kagoshima Prefecture on October 24, 1962

Surrounding Area Information

Kimotsuki Town is located in the southeastern part of the Osumi Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, facing the East China Sea with a warm climate. The town is famous for its aromatic citrus fruit Hezuka daidai, which is registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. When visiting the Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori, enjoying local specialties is one of the pleasures. Additionally, the Nami area and Kashiwabara area along the Kimotsuki River retain the atmosphere of historical port towns, where visitors can imagine the prosperity of trade with the Ryukyu Kingdom and Osaka in the past.

Kimotsuki Town is also home to the Uchinoura Space Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), known as a base for rocket launches. It is interesting to compare the contrast between this space-related facility and the traditional August dance, showcasing two different faces of the town. Throughout the Kimotsuki Plain, stone shrines and monuments dedicated to water deities are scattered, allowing visitors to see traces of the same water deity faith found in the August dance in various locations.

Nearby tourist attractions include Taniyama Onsen hot springs overlooking Kagoshima Bay, and locations with magnificent landscapes designated as part of the Osumi Peninsula National Park. The Kimotsuki Town Historical and Folk Museum exhibits the history, costumes, and instruments of the August dance, allowing visitors to experience the culture of the August dance even on days other than the festival itself.

Related Information

1. The Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kagoshima Prefecture on October 24, 1962.
2. The dance was originally held on August 18 of the old lunar calendar, but is now held annually on the fourth Saturday of September, with omote years open to the public and ura years held only within the community, alternating each year.
3. There were once 14 dance songs, but only 9 are currently sung.
4. The original dancers were mainly aged 16 to 26, but due to the shortage of young people, elementary and junior high school students and elderly people now also participate.
5. Multiple theories exist regarding the origin of the dance, including the 1671 Takayama irrigation canal completion theory, land development commemoration theory, and harvest festival theory.
6. The dance is accompanied by shamisen, kokyu, and taiko drums, with the sound of the kokyu being particularly distinctive.
7. The lyrics include stories about the Forty-Seven Ronin (Chushingura), which were forbidden to be sung openly at the time.
8. In 2008, the Honmachi Hachigatsu Odori Preservation Society broadened participation by recruiting dancers and musicians from outside the settlement.
9. Detailed information is available on the official website of Kimotsuki Town and the Kimotsuki Town Tourist Information Center.
10. Public years are open to free viewing, but visitors are requested to be considerate so as not to interfere with the event.

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