Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori

Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori is a folk performing art passed down through the festival at Hie Shrine. The procession down to the seaside otabi-sho, known as Ohama-kudari, and the Sasara Odori, in which girls dance around the nakadachi, come together to shape the local festival.

About Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori

Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori is a folk performing art held at the festival at Hie Shrine in Shirama-tsu, Chiba Prefecture.

As part of the festival held every 5 years from July 14 to 16, a procession to the seaside otabi-sho takes place, known as Ohama-kudari.

Its distinctive features include the roles passed down by each local group and the makeup of the performers, including boys and girls.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

Festival highlights

A highlight is the scene in which two boys dressed as Nitten and Gatten stand in the center of a circle while girls wearing flower hats dance with sasara clappers or fans.

More than nine dances have been passed down, including “Otera Odori,” “Shirama-tsu Odori,” and “Ogi Odori.”

In addition to performances with the character of kouta songs and nenbutsu dancing, Enyahou by boys and Tohira by girls add to the festivities.

A prayer dance with flower hats and sasara clappers passed down in Shirama-tsu

What to expect

During the festival, groups such as the taima, Sarutahiko, Tohira, Enyahou, and Sasara form a procession and proceed to the seaside otabi-sho in a procession known as Ohama-kudari.

At its center, girls dance to the accompanying music around two boys performing as the nakadachi.

Other performances are assigned by age group, including Enyahou by boys, Tohira by girls, and sake-barrel lanterns and a large-rope crossing by young men.

Location and access

Venue and address: Held as a festival at Hie Shrine, it includes a procession down to the seaside otabi-sho.

Event venue 千葉県日枝神社および海浜の御旅所までのお浜下り

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

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Dates and season

It is usually held every five years, from July 14 to 16.

To check the dates, please refer to the information about the Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori, held as a festival of Hie Shrine.

Source: 白間津ささら踊文化遺産オンライン

Origins and History of Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori

Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori was selected on April 21, 1971 as an “intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as documentation should be undertaken.”

The performance has been passed down as a large-scale, flamboyant procession accompanying the festival at Hie Shrine, with the Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori Preservation Society serving as its preservation organization.

Its kouta and nenbutsu-dance character, the roles of each group, and the division of performers by age are distinctive local features.

Official information

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties” and “Cultural Heritage Online” provide information about Shirama-tsu Sasara Odori and its preservation organization.

The Chiba Prefectural Board of Education’s list of cultural properties also includes related festivals passed down in the Shirama-tsu area as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.