【Gokase Towns, Miyazaki Prefecture Traditional Performing Arts】Kuraoka Gion Kagura

Kuraoka Gion Kagura is a kagura Tradition that has been handed down to the Gion Shrine in Kuraoka, and it is said that it began with dancing in the wide garden of Koga Burei Shrine in the Enki ceremony.

In the 2nd year of the Lunar Calendar and the 4th year of Juei (1185), the Heike Ichimon, who had been defeated in the Battle of Dannoura, made a series of escapes to the Kyushu Mountains, reached the land of Kuraoka, and then explored deeper into the mountains and penetrated into Shiiba. At this time, Kyoto's Kagura, Gagaku, Ise Kagura, etc., which were handed down by the Heike clan, were infiltrated by the traditional Kagura, and with the progress of time, it became a Kagura with a unique appearance.

It is said that the tone of Kagura is made of Traditional Japanese straw raincoat trees growing in the unexplored area of Mt. Shiraiwa, stretched with Deer skins caught in Okuyama, Drums tightened at both ends with hemp ropes, flutes made by drilling holes in shinobamboo, and the elegant sound and strange investigation of the metropolitan tone by clapping hands became a unique Kagura rhythm and formed Kuraoka Kagura.

In July of 2023 (Reiwa 5), the Kuraoka Gion Kagura Preservation Society restored this ancient Kagura Drum.

Kuraoka Gion Kagura Schedule... Mid-July (Gion Shrine), Early October (Gion Shrine), Mid-November (Tianjin Shrine)