Nishimonai no Bon-odori

Overview

Nishimonai no Bon-odori (Nishimonai Bon Dance) is a traditional Bon dance held annually from August 16 to 18 in Nishimonai, Ugo Town, Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture. It ranks alongside Gujō Odori in Gifu Prefecture and Awa Odori in Tokushima Prefecture as one of the "Three Great Bon Dances of Japan." With a history reportedly spanning approximately 700 years, it was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1981 (Shōwa 56).

History

The origins of the Nishimonai Bon-odori are traced to the Shōō era (1288–1293) at the end of the Kamakura period, when the ascetic monk Genshin is said to have performed dances in front of the Zaō Gongen hall as prayers for bountiful harvests. Subsequently, following the destruction of the Onodera clan, lords of Nishimonai Castle, in 1601 (Keichō 6), the dance is believed to have merged with mourning rituals for the spirits of the deceased, taking on its present form as a Bon dance. The distinctive style features dancers concealing their faces with black hoods called "Hikosa-zukin" and patchwork garments called "Hanui" combined with woven straw hats. This face-concealing tradition has earned the dance the nickname "the dance of spirits," lending it a mysterious atmosphere unmatched in Japanese folk performing arts.

Highlights

To the accompaniment of traditional festival music (hayashi), two types of dance—"Ganke" and "Ondo"—are performed in alternation, drawing approximately 100,000 spectators over the three-day event. Dancers concealing their faces behind woven hats and Hikosa-zukin hoods move slowly yet sensually, gracefully yet firmly around the central bonfires, creating a hauntingly beautiful spectacle that conveys to viewers a deep emotional resonance transcending the centuries.

Event Details and Access

The venue is Honchō Street in Nishimonai, Ugo Town, Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture. Access is approximately 30 minutes by Ugo Kōtsū bus from Yuzawa Station on the JR Ōu Main Line. Viewing the dance is free of charge.

Surrounding Attractions

Ugo Town is nestled within picturesque satoyama countryside landscapes, with nearby attractions concentrating the tourism resources of southern Akita Prefecture, including Oyasukyō Hot Spring in Yuzawa City, the home village of Inaniwa udon noodles, and the kamakura snow huts of Yokote. August in particular offers an ideal opportunity to combine traditional festivals of the Ogachi region with hot spring tourism in a memorable cultural journey.

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