Yamabushi Kagura thriving in Hanamaki: an evocative tradition of dance and kyogen
Enmanji Kagura
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- September 25, New Year, and spring, summer, autumn, and winter
- Area
- Iwate Prefecture・Hanamaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Enmanji is a type of Yamabushi Kagura handed down in Hanamaki City. Along with dances such as Torimai and Sanbasō, performed between kagura pieces has also been passed down.
About Enmanji Kagura
Enmanji Kagura is a type of Yamabushi Kagura widely passed down across Tohoku and a folk performing art handed down in Iwate Prefecture.
In the past, performers visited homes during the winter agricultural off-season to drive away evil spirits.
Today, dances are performed at the kagura hall of Toriyagasaki Shrine on September 25, as well as at New Year and in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
It is a traditional performing art closely connected to local life and faith.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
The highlight is Shikiroku, a program of six dances: Torimai, Okina-mai, Sanbasō, Hachiman-mai, Yama-no-kami-mai, and Iwato-mai.
Other pieces passed down include Kurama, Tennyo, Kanemaki, Warabi-ori, and Soga.
Between kagura pieces, kyogen such as Hana-oroshi, Takara-oroshi, and Terawatashi are also performed, making the program notable for its variety beyond dance alone.
Yamabushi Kagura thriving in Hanamaki: an evocative tradition of dance and kyogen
What to expect
At the kagura hall, several dances and pieces passed down through generations are performed in sequence.
The central Shikiroku set features Torimai, Okina-mai, Sanbasō, Hachiman-mai, Yama-no-kami-mai, and Iwato-mai.
Other offerings include pieces such as Kurama and Tennyo, as well as kyogen performed between kagura pieces.
Performances may also be held on milestone occasions, such as local festivals, celebrations of longevity, housewarming celebrations, and celebrations marking recovery from illness.
Location and access
- Address
Hanamaki City
Host municipality 岩手県花巻市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
September 25, New Year, and spring, summer, autumn, and winter
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Iwate Prefecture / Hanamaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Enmanji Kannon Mountain is located in the area where Enmanji Kagura has been passed down.
Enmanji Kannon Hall and Yasaka Shrine stand side by side. The grounds include a stone monument bearing a date from the Northern and Southern Courts period, as well as the Grandmother Cedar and Ittō-an.
From the elevated viewpoint, you can see wide stretches of rice fields and Hanamaki city, as well as Mount Hayachine.
Source: 円万寺 観音山 | 観る【花巻観光協会公式サイト】
花巻歴史民俗資料館
岩手県花巻市にあった資料館
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Enmanji Kagura
Enmanji Kagura belongs to a tradition of Yamabushi Kagura widely found across Tohoku.
In the past, performers visited homes during the winter agricultural off-season to drive away evil spirits, but these house-to-house visits are no longer held.
Today, in addition to regular performances at the kagura hall, traditional pieces are also performed at local festivals and celebratory occasions.
Official information
The Agency for Cultural Affairs' Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties lists Enmanji Kagura's name, category, preservation group, repertoire, and transmission status.
Enmanji Kagura is listed as an intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as the creation of records should be undertaken.
The group that passes it down is the Enmanji Kagura Preservation Society.
Enmanji Kagura at a Glance
Enmanji Kagura is a type of Yamabushi Kagura handed down in Iwate Prefecture, with a varied repertoire of dances and kyogen.
Pieces such as Kurama and Tennyo are also passed down, along with Shikiroku, a set of six dances including Torimai and Sanbasō.
From driving away evil spirits in homes in the past to performances at the kagura hall and local celebrations today, it continues as a performing art connected to everyday life.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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