Hanazono no Ota-mai

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sequence of performances depicting a year of rice cultivation.

More than 10 pieces are performed, including “Ta-uchi,” “Mizo-kasuri,” “Nae-oshi,” “Ushi-tsukai,” “Tane-maki,” “Ta-kari,” and “Momi-suri.” The movements of each role portray scenes of agricultural work.

You can also look out for characters such as Shiroshirage, Kuroshirage, the bridegroom, Wakikuwa, Shirikuwa, Taueko, and Taiko-uchi.

Its archaic song accompaniments and the lyrics sung to the revolving taiko drums are also distinctive features.

Source: 花園の御田舞｜文化デジタルライブラリー

A ta-asobi folk performance handed down in Hanazono, tracing a year of rice cultivation through song and dance

What to expect

The event begins with a spring-field ritual. After the Shusho-e first-night service is held at Henjoji Temple (Dainichido), the Ota-mai performance follows.

Performers take on different roles and depict agricultural tasks such as plowing the fields, pressing seedlings into the soil, guiding the ox, sowing seeds, harvesting rice, and hulling rice, using recitations and dances.

On New Year’s Eve, after the roles have been assigned, a torch-pushing ritual is also held.

Location and access

Venue and address

Henjoji Temple (Hanazono Yanase, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture).

Address Hanazono Yanase, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture

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Dates and season

It is held every other year, on a holiday near day 8 of lunar month 1, according to the information provided.

Wakayama Prefecture’s cultural property calendar lists it as taking place in odd-numbered Gregorian years.

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Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesKatsuragi Town

Niutsuhime Shrine

和歌山県伊都郡かつらぎ町にある神社

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写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Hanazono no Ota-mai

Hanazono no Ota-mai is a ta-asobi folk performance handed down in Hanazono Village, along the valley of the upper Arida River in the mountainous area beyond Mount Koya.

It preserves a form in which agricultural tasks from plowing through the harvest are performed to pray for abundance, and its archaic song accompaniments and revolving taiko drums are recognized as distinctive local features.

It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on January 21, 1981, and the Hanazono Village Association for the Preservation of Local Classical Performing Arts serves as its preservation group.

Source: 花園の御田舞 文化遺産オンライン

Official information

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties provides the designation information and description for Hanazono no Ota-mai.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Online Cultural Heritage platform lists the event date, location, preservation group, and an overview of the performances.

Hanazono no Ota-mai at a Glance

Hanazono no Ota-mai is a ta-asobi folk performance that portrays a year of rice cultivation through songs and dances and offers prayers for a bountiful harvest.

Following the spring-field ritual and the Shusho-e service, more than 10 pieces portraying agricultural tasks from plowing through rice hulling are performed.

The venue is Henjoji Temple in Hanazono Yanase, Katsuragi Town. It is held every other year on a holiday near day 8 of lunar month 1, according to available information.