Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura

Festival highlights

A highlight is the lion dancing with a sword or bells in hand on the cauldron site, enclosed by taboo bamboo and shimenawa.

Accompanied by flute and drum music and kagura songs, the dancers repeat their movements from each of the four sides of the cauldron site toward the center.

In Numata, the distinctive feature is “Eight Swords,” danced by eight performers including demons and tengu; in Osaka, it is the lion dance that visits homes observing their first Bon, along with tsujigiri.

Yudate kagura passed down in Gotemba, where lions dance to purify the cauldron site

What to expect

A cauldron is set up on the grounds of the shrine, and a cauldron site is prepared by placing taboo bamboo in the four directions and stretching shimenawa sacred ropes around it.

A person who leads the way while scattering salt and a lion dance around the cauldron site, performing yudate.

In Numata, events proceed from the eve festival to the main festival. In Osaka, after the yudate, lion dancers visit homes observing their first Bon, and tsujigiri rituals are performed to ward off epidemics.

How to take part

This kagura is open to the public, so you can watch it.

This event, including its main performances such as shishimai and yudate, is carried out by a preservation group. No information is provided about general visitors taking part as performers.

When performances take place on the shrine grounds or at homes in the area, it is important to watch quietly without disrupting them.

Location and access

Venue and address

Osaka Sengen Shrine (Osaka district, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture).

In Numata, it takes place on the shrine grounds during the eve festival of the annual festival at Numata Konone Shrine.

Parking

Osaka Sengen Shrine has no parking lot.

Address Osaka Sengen Shrine, Osaka district, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

In Osaka, on the evening of the first Saturday after Bon (July 23–26th).

In Numata, during the eve festival of the annual festival at Numata Konone Shrine.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The yudate in Osaka takes place at night, while events in Numata continue from the eve festival through the main festival.

Osaka Sengen Shrine has no parking lot, so if you are arriving by car, check traffic conditions and parking options in the area in advance.

When watching the lion dance as it visits homes observing their first Bon, or the tsujigiri, be mindful of where you may enter and whether photography is allowed, and avoid disrupting the local proceedings.

Origins and History of Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura

Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura is a folk performing art passed down in Numata and Osaka districts in Gotemba City.

In Numata, the yudate is associated with the shrine’s annual festival, while in Osaka it is connected with events held after Bon. Each district has passed down its own form of yudate and lion dancing.

It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2022.

Official information

The Shizuoka Prefecture official website’s “Shizuoka Cultural Properties Navi” introduces the venues, public access, timing, and repertoire of Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura.

The National Database of Designated Cultural Properties provides the name, category, location, and preservation organization.

Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura at a Glance

Numata and Osaka Yudate Kagura is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property centered on lion dancing around a cauldron site and yudate, with distinct forms passed down in Numata and Osaka districts.

Highlights vary by district and include dances accompanied by flutes and drums, Numata’s “Eight Swords,” and Osaka’s tsujigiri.

一般公開されています。