Nishimonai no Bon-odori

Overview

Nishimonai no Bon Odori (the Nishimonai Bon Dance) is a Bon dance handed down in the Nishimonai district of Ugo Town, Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture, held over three days from August 16 to 18 each year. Together with the Awa Odori of Tokushima Prefecture and the Gujo Odori of Gifu Prefecture, it is counted as one of the Three Great Bon Dances of Japan and is known as a summer event representing the Tohoku region.

Its greatest characteristic is the fantastical sight of dancers who conceal their faces with woven straw hats or hoods, dancing in gorgeous costumes by the light of bonfires. While many Bon dances are lively and cheerful, the Nishimonai Bon Dance possesses a unique atmosphere in its wistful and graceful movements and in the figures of the dancers who hide their faces, and its high artistic quality has been widely praised. Holding the character of a Bon event that sees off ancestral spirits, the rows of dancers emerging in the light of the bonfires draw viewers into a quiet emotion.

History and Origins

No reliable records documenting the origins of the Nishimonai Bon Dance remain, but according to legend, its oldest origins are said to go back to the Kamakura period, and it is said to have a history of roughly 700 years. Originally it was handed down as a Bon event in which local residents honored and sent off ancestral spirits.

Long protected by local people, this Bon dance had its form refined after it was first performed in Tokyo in 1935 (Showa 10). Through this performance, the Nishimonai Bon Dance became widely known, and its distinctive beauty began to attract attention.

Then, on January 21, 1981 (Showa 56), as a culture possessing high artistic quality, it became the first Bon dance in the nation to be designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. This meant that the Nishimonai Bon Dance was recognized not merely as a local event but as a representative of Japanese folk culture.

Furthermore, in November 2022, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as one of the Furyu-odori, a grouping of Bon dances and nembutsu dances from various regions. The tradition, handed down across generations by the hands of local people, has now become a culture whose value is recognized worldwide.

Highlights

Dancers with concealed faces　The dancers either wear woven straw hats pulled down low, or cover their faces with a black hood called a hikosa-zukin. The hikosa-zukin is a bag-shaped mask with holes opened at the eyes, said to have originated either from black cloth used in farm work to shade from sun and repel insects, or to have taken its inspiration from the kuroko stagehands of kabuki. The anonymity and mystery created by concealing the face give rise to the atmosphere unique to this Bon dance.

Gorgeous hanui costumes　There are two types of costume. One is the hanui costume, a splendid garment made by sewing together various pieces of silk cloth. The other is the indigo-dyed yukata, worn in combination with the hikosa-zukin. The woven straw hats are worn mainly by dancers in hanui costumes, and there are conventions governing the combination of costume and hood.

A fantastical scene by bonfire light　At night, rows of dancers move gracefully through the light of bonfires lit along the street. The sight of the gorgeous costumes and concealed figures illuminated by the flames possesses a fantastical beauty found in no other Bon dance, and it is the greatest charm of this festival.

Distinctive musical accompaniment　The musical accompaniment that supports the dance includes yose-daiko, ondo, and ganke, and the tones of drums, flutes, and shamisen add color to the dancing. The wistful melodies, together with the graceful dance, create a distinctive world.

Event Information and Access

Period　Three days from August 16 to 18 each year.

Venue　The Nishimonai district of Ugo Town, Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture (along Honmachi-dori and other streets).

Status　One of the Three Great Bon Dances of Japan (Awa Odori, Gujo Odori, and Nishimonai Bon Odori). An Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan (designated 1981), and part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Furyu-odori (inscribed 2022).

Preservation body　The Nishimonai Bon Odori Preservation Society.

Access　Ugo Town, the venue, is conveniently reached from the direction of Yuzawa City in the southern part of Akita Prefecture. Since the venue is crowded with many visitors during the festival period, it is advisable to use public transportation and temporary traffic guidance.

Surrounding Area

Ugo Town, where the Nishimonai Bon Dance is held, is a town located in the southern part of Akita Prefecture, an area of rich nature and rural scenery. The Nishimonai district retains an old townscape, and when the festival season arrives, a distinctive atmosphere drifts through the streets that serve as the stage for the Bon dance.

Within the town there are also facilities that introduce the history, costumes, and implements of the Nishimonai Bon Dance, allowing visitors to experience its culture even outside the festival season. By seeing the actual gorgeous hanui costumes and hikosa-zukin hoods up close, one can come to know the depth of the Bon dance more deeply.

In addition, the area encompassing Ugo Town and the southern part of Akita Prefecture is a region dotted with historic towns such as Yuzawa and Yokote. When visiting the Nishimonai Bon Dance, one can enjoy a journey savoring the rich natural setting of Akita together with the surrounding hot springs, historic sites, and local cuisine.

Related Information

• Name: Nishimonai no Bon Odori (Nishimonai Bon Dance)
• Location: Nishimonai district, Ugo Town, Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture
• Period: August 16 to 18 each year
• Origin: according to legend, the Kamakura period (about 700 years ago)
• Cultural property: Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan (1981; the first Bon dance in the nation to be designated)
• World heritage: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Furyu-odori (inscribed 2022)
• Status: one of the Three Great Bon Dances of Japan (Awa Odori, Gujo Odori, and Nishimonai Bon Odori)

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