Omura’s Okita Odori

Festival highlights

One highlight is the scene where older children carrying long swords and younger children carrying short swords form two concentric circles, one on the outside and one on the inside.

The dancers face one another, clashing their swords as they dance to the accompaniment of a shime-daiko, flutes, a gong, and singing.

The procession to the dance area, as well as the costumes—including black kimono, sedge hats, and headbands—create a distinctive scene unique to Okita Odori.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

Omura’s traditional performing art, with long swords and short swords dancing in two concentric circles

What to expect

The performance begins with a procession to the dance area, led by a guide and featuring a parasol float, banners, dancers, and musicians.

In the dance area, the short-sword dancers form the inner circle and the long-sword dancers the outer circle, dancing as they face one another.

The hayashi accompaniment features a shime-daiko, flute, gong, and singing, and each dancer is accompanied by an attendant.

Location and access

Address

Omura City

Host municipality 長崎県大村市

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

Season

It is sometimes performed on November 3 (Omura Festival).

Frequency

Once every 3 years

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Origins and History of Omura’s Okita Odori

The origins of Okita Odori are uncertain, but it is said to have been taught by Hoyo, a wandering samurai who came from the Chugoku region during the Bunmei era.

Okita Odori, Suko Odori, and Kuromaru Odori are regarded as “auspicious dances that began at the same time” and were performed at celebrations held by the Omura domain during the Edo period.

Even today, the makeup and number of dancers share characteristics with records from the early modern period.

Official information

The Omura City official website’s “Okita Odori” page provides information about the dance’s features and its cultural property designation.

Omura’s Okita Odori at a Glance

Omura’s Okita Odori is a furyu dance passed down in Okita-machi, Omura City.

Dancers with long swords and short swords form two concentric circles and dance facing one another to the accompaniment of drums, flutes, a gong, and singing.

Tradition holds that Hoyo taught the dance during the Sengoku period. It has been passed down as one of the “Furyu Odori” dances, designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.