Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sequence of movements in which participants beat a drum while chanting nenbutsu.

Partway through, the bells and drums move into the circle. As the music begins, participants chant nenbutsu while dancing in a circle.

The roles of making music and dancing in a circle overlap, bringing quiet chanting and an energetic dance together as one.

A traditional dance alive in Buzai, where drums and nenbutsu bring the circle together

What to expect

At the event, participants first chant nenbutsu while beating a drum.

During this, the bells and drums move into the circle, and the chanting of nenbutsu continues to the music.

Eventually, participants of all ages and genders form a circle and dance, expressing nenbutsu rooted in temple observances as a local performing art.

Source: 六座念仏の称念仏踊 文化遺産オンライン

Location and access

Venue and address

It is passed down in Buzai, Inzai City.

Source: 伝統文化／千葉県

Event venue 千葉県印西市 印西市武西

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

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

The observances are traditionally held on several dates: the 16th day of the New Year, the 15th day of the second month, the middle day of the spring equinox week, the 25th day of the sixth month, the 13th and 16th days of the eighth month, the middle day of the autumn equinox week, and the 16th day of the twelfth month.

Names for the observances include Kane-goe Nenbutsu, Tendo Nenbutsu, Higan Nenbutsu, Mushi-okuri Nenbutsu, Tana Nenbutsu, Segaki Nenbutsu, and Kane-fuse Nenbutsu.

The dates of each observance in 2026 should be checked in the individual notices.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu

The Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu is a performance tradition in which nenbutsu practiced as part of temple observances took root among ordinary people and was passed down as rural folk tradition.

It has been handed down by the Buzai Nenbutsu Association in Buzai, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, and on December 8, 1975 it was selected as an “Intangible Folk Cultural Property Requiring Measures such as Documentation.”

The chanting and dance are still performed on several event dates.

Official information

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties” provides the name, place of transmission, event dates, and details of the performance for the Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu.

Chiba Prefecture’s “List of Properties Selected for Documentation by the National and Prefectural Governments” also lists the place of transmission as Buzai, Inzai City, and the holders as the Inzai City Buzai Nenbutsu Association.

Source: 国・県による記録選択一覧／千葉県

Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu at a Glance

The Shō Nenbutsu Odori of Rokuzanenbutsu is a folk performance tradition of the nenbutsu association passed down in Buzai, Inzai City.

Drums and bells, the chanting of nenbutsu, and the movements of people of all ages and genders dancing in a circle are performed as one.

Several event dates are observed from January through December. Another major feature is the history of temple nenbutsu being passed down as part of the local rural culture.