Kitakami Michinoku Traditional Dance Festival

Overview

The Kitakami Michinoku Geino Matsuri is a festival of folk performing arts held annually in early August in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture. It began in 1962 and has grown into one of the leading folk performing arts festivals representing the Tohoku region. The festival takes place over three days, with diverse performances such as Onikenbai, Shishi Odori, and Kagura presented at multiple venues throughout the city.

Kitakami City is known as a treasure house of folk performing arts, and over 100 groups from within and outside the prefecture participate. The festival is unique nationwide for bringing together such a large number of performing groups, and it attracts many repeat visitors. Tourists return each year to see different performances, contributing to the local economy.

History and Origins

The Kitakami Michinoku Geino Matsuri was born in 1962 during the period of rapid economic growth. At that time, tourism in Iwate Prefecture centered on its abundant natural scenery, but Iwate Prefecture, Kitakami City, and tourism organizations are said to have recognized the potential of folk performing arts as a tourism resource and launched a new festival. The first edition is said to have started on a modest scale, with about 20 participating groups and an audience of approximately 5,000.

The purpose of the festival was to preserve and pass down the many folk performing arts that had been handed down in the Kitakami area. The festival steadily expanded and now attracts 300,000 to 400,000 visitors. This growth is rooted in the increasing interest in unique regional performing arts such as Onikenbai and Shishi Odori.

In 2020 and 2021, the festival was cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive committee regretted depriving children, the future bearers of the festival, of the opportunity to experience its joy, and in 2022 the festival was held on a reduced scale over two days. This experience demonstrated that regional solidarity and flexibility are essential for the continuation of the festival.

According to one tradition, the origin of Onikenbai dates back to the Taiho era (701-704 CE), when the ascetic En no Gyoja is said to have danced to spread the nembutsu prayer. Another legend holds that during the Zenkunen War in the Kohei era (1058-1065 CE), Kurozawajiro Go Masatada of the Abe clan favored this dance and had it performed during his departures for battle and triumphant returns. Thus, while the festival itself was created in the Showa period, the performing arts presented there include those with over a thousand years of history.

Highlights

Onikenbai (Demon Sword Dance) Formally called Nenbutsu Kenbai, it is popularly known as Onikenbai because performers dance vigorously while wearing demon masks. Dancers wear demon masks and brandish swords or shakujo staffs, creating an overwhelming sense of power that captivates the audience. This art is concentrated in the Kitakami area and includes a variety of pieces, allowing viewers to enjoy different expressions each time they see it.

Shishi Odori (Deer Dance) Two types of Shishi Odori exist in Iwate Prefecture: the drum type and the curtain dance type. The drum type from the southern part of the prefecture has no accompanying music; each dancer sings and beats a drum while carrying a bamboo pole two to three meters long on their back. Compared to the brave and gorgeous Onikenbai, Shishi Odori is described as a solemn and rhythmic art. The dancers wear lion heads and move to the rhythmic beat of drums, evoking the strength of treading on the earth.

Kagura (Shinto Music and Dance) Iwate Prefecture preserves a wide variety of kagura traditions. These include Yamabushi Kagura brought by mountain ascetics, Daijo Kagura that spread among farmers, Shafu Kagura transmitted by Shinto priests, Serifu Kagura that arose among farmers in the former Date domain, and Edo Mai Kagura that developed as a townspeople's art independent of Shinto. At the special stage on the grounds of Suwa Shrine, visitors can leisurely watch these kagura performances. Kagura is an art dedicated to the gods, and countless regional variations have developed unique styles.

Kitakami River Bank Fireworks Display The fireworks display that concludes the festival is held along the banks of the Kitakami River. The fireworks light up the night sky over Kitakami vividly, and the highlight is the collaboration with the 370-year-old tradition of the Torokko Nagashi (lantern floating). The contrast between the lanterns floating on the river surface and the fireworks in the sky creates a fantastic scene that attracts many spectators. The display features a different theme each year, with music and narration providing an integrated production, and the Full Synchro Creative Fireworks combining fireworks and music is a must-see.

Performances by Children The festival places great emphasis on providing children with opportunities to perform. Many groups have been established for preschool and elementary school students, and the Onikenbai club of Iwate Prefectural Kitakami Shoko High School has participated in the National High School Cultural Festival. The sight of children performing traditional dances with serious expressions gives a sense of the region's future. Watching their growth is one of the great joys of the festival for local residents.

The Nationwide Spread of Onikenbai A tourist from Kyoto who encountered Onikenbai at the festival visited Kitakami repeatedly and eventually established an Onikenbai group in Kyoto. Similar groups have been formed in Sapporo, Hakodate, Tokyo, and Sado Island. This phenomenon shows that the festival serves not only as a tourist event but also as a starting point for cultural dissemination. The fact that their performances attract nationwide attention is a great source of pride for local dancers.

Event Information and Access

• Period: Held annually from the first Saturday of August for three days. Check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of implementation.
• Venues: Multiple locations in central Kitakami City, including the grounds of Suwa Shrine, the Kitakami River bank, and the main street area. Performances take place simultaneously at several stages.
• Public Transportation Access: Within walking distance or by bus from JR Kitakami Station (Tohoku Shinkansen line). Shuttle buses may operate during the festival period.
• Car Access: Approximately 10 minutes from the Kitakami-Egoshiri Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Temporary parking lots are available in the surrounding area, but the use of public transportation is recommended due to expected congestion.
• Admission Fee: Viewing is generally free (some paid seats available). Check the official website for details.
• Traffic Regulations: Traffic restrictions are enforced in the vicinity of the venues during the festival hours. Major roads may be closed to vehicles and detours will be in place. Visitors should check the latest information before coming.

Surrounding Area Information

Kitakami City sprawls along the Kitakami River basin, and several tourist spots are within walking distance of the festival venues. Suwa Shrine is one of the main venues where kagura is performed on a special stage. The main street around the shrine becomes a pedestrian zone during the festival, lined with food stalls and vendors, bustling with many visitors.

Along the Kitakami River, riverbank parks have been developed and are used as viewing areas for the fireworks display. The reflection of fireworks and lanterns on the river surface is a popular spot for photography. Nearby attractions such as the Kitakami City Museum and the Tembochi scenic area are also visited by tourists in combination with the festival.

Restaurants and accommodations are concentrated around Kitakami Station, and they become particularly crowded during the festival period. Buses and taxis from the station provide access to each venue. Nearby cities such as Hanamaki and Tono, known for places associated with Kenji Miyazawa and folk tale villages, are visited by tourists from afar before or after the festival.

Related Information

• Organizers: Kitakami Michinoku Geino Matsuri Executive Committee, Kitakami City, Iwate Tourism Federation, among others
• Official Website: https://geinoumatsuri.com/
• Inquiries: Kitakami Michinoku Geino Matsuri Executive Committee (Address: 1-3-1 Odori, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture)
• Major Folk Performing Arts in Iwate Prefecture: Yamabushi Kagura, Daijo Kagura, Shafu Kagura, Serifu Kagura, Edo Mai Kagura, Daikagura
• Two Types of Shishi Odori: The drum type in the southern part of the prefecture and the curtain dance type in the Tono and northern areas
• Legends of Onikenbai's Origin: Multiple theories exist, including the En no Gyoja theory from the Taiho era, the Kurozawajiro Go Masatada theory from the Kohei era, and the Haguroyama priest theory
• Women's Participation Initiatives: The executive committee holds the GEINO Joshi Koryukai to support women's activities, and women-only groups are increasing
• Related Events: Kitakami River Bank Fireworks Display (held on the final day of the festival), Torokko Nagashi (lantern floating with 370 years of tradition)
• Examples of Cultural Dissemination: Onikenbai groups have been established in Kyoto, Sapporo, Hakodate, Tokyo, and Sado Island

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