【Gokase Towns, Miyazaki Prefecture Traditional Performing Arts】Araodori (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)

Gokase no Araodori is a style dance that was designated as an important Intangible folk cultural assets designated by the government on January 8, Showa 62. (The prefectural designation was 1962 (Showa 37) May 15)

2021 (Reiwa 3) (2021) In February 2021, 41 "Furyu Odori" from all over Japan, including Gokase no Araodori, were selected as candidates for proposal for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in March of the same year, a proposal was submitted to UNESCO, which was 2022 (Reiwa 4) registered on November 30.

"Furyu Odori" is a folk performing arts that embodies the spirit of "Furyu" that is glamorous and eye-catching, and dances to songs, flutes, Drums, and kane, etc., with a lot of attention to costumes and belongings.

This Furyu Odori has been designated as a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset in 42 locations nationwide (25 prefectures, 43 cities and towns), and is the only one in Miyazaki Prefecture to be designated as "Gokase no Araodori".

It contains the prayers of people who wish for a peaceful life, such as disaster removal, memorial services for the dead, prayers for a good harvest, and begging for rain, and local people of all ages participate in festivals and annual events. It reflects the history and climate of each region and plays a major role as a Minamoto of regional vitality.

Gokase no Araodori is said to have been started by Sakamoto Iga Mori Masayuki, the castle owner of Sakamoto Castle (upper reaches of the Mikasho River), to raise the morale of the warriors when they went to war during the Tensho year (1573~92). Later, in the Keicho year (1596~1615), his grandson Sakamoto Yamashiro Mori Irido Kyukaku decreed the Dedication to the guardian god Nikami Daimyojin (now Sankasho Shrine). At that time, it is said that the successor of the temple called "Shinbochi" was held at the funeral, and the monkeys kept in the temple were also sent to dance with him.

One theory is that the dance was introduced from Sakamoto in Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture), but according to the "Nichishu Takachiho Kokonbari Ranki" (Hyuga Local Historical Sources, Vol. 4), "The descendants of Sasaki Rokkaku Takayori of Omi defected to Takachiho and served the Mitai clan, and their descendants called themselves the Saho clan, the Sakamoto clan, and the Mazaki clan." However, the Sakamoto clan here is not the Sakamoto clan of Sakamoto Castle, but the Sakamoto clan of Kanegase from Mukaiyama, Restrooms available this is a Minamoto surname, not the Ōkami surname or the Fujiwara surname, but a separate lineage.

The date of the rough dance... The fourth Sunday of September every year