Genna Tanegashima Ōodori

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sight of dancers with large drums strapped to their chests dancing vigorously to the sound of songs and gongs.

After moving forward in a column and forming a circle, the dancers perform while turning in a circle. They also form two or four rows.

A distinctive feature is the difference in drumming technique between the farmers’ dance, played with both hands, and the samurai dance, played with one hand.

A traditional performing art of Genna, passed down through the sound of large drums and shifting formations

What to expect

The dance begins with “Dehata,” as the dancers move forward in several columns and form a circle.

In the subsequent “Ki-odori,” the dancers form a circle and turn, or line up in two or four rows.

Another account of the dance’s structure describes four sections—“Dehata,” “Hon-odori,” “Kuzushi,” and “Hikihata”—said to express, respectively, exuberance, solemnity, liveliness, and grace.

How to take part

The dancers who perform the offering are said to be male.

No information is available about ways for general visitors to join the dancing or about hands-on activities for spectators.

If you visit, the basic rule is to watch quietly as a local event without disrupting the offering.

Source: 西之表市現和の種子島大踊

Location and access

Venue and address

The dance is dedicated at Shinzen in the Genna district of Nishinoomote City.

By car

Genna school district is a 15-minute drive from central Nishinoomote City.

Source: 現和校区について

Event venue 鹿児島県西之表市 現和地区の神前

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

The Genwa Tanegashima Odori is performed annually on March 27 and October 27.

It is said to be offered before the deities at the Ganjōjū Festival in autumn.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

As a local traditional performing art offered before the deities, it should be watched quietly, giving priority to the dancers and the progress of the festival.

If there are on-site instructions about photography or access, you must follow them.

Origins and History of Genna Tanegashima Ōodori

The Genna Tanegashima Ōodori was selected on December 4, 1974 as an intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as documentation should be undertaken.

The Genna Ōodori is distinctive among dances passed down throughout Tanegashima Island for consisting of 8 types of dances.

It is said to have originated in Kamakura or Kansai, but this is presented as an oral tradition.

Official information

You can find an explanation of the Genna Tanegashima Ōodori and its cultural property information in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of National Cultural Properties.

Information on an intangible folk cultural property of the same name is also listed on Cultural Heritage Online.

The name of the preservation society in Genna is the Nishinoomote City Genna Tanegashima Ōodori Preservation Society.

Source: 現和の種子島大踊 文化遺産オンライン

Genna Tanegashima Ōodori at a Glance

The Genna Tanegashima Ōodori is a folk performing art featuring drums and dance, passed down in Genna, Nishinoomote City.

Centered on dancers with large drums strapped to their chests, singers, gong players, and performers in various roles join in, dancing as they shift between formations and circles.

例年は3月27日と10月27日に踊られます。