Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura

Festival highlights

A highlight is the way the festival combines kagura and yudate rituals.

In Mukai, several yudate rituals and dances are performed in succession. In Sakabe, performances include the “Flower Dance” by boys in white robes and flower hats, dances using various masks, and ritual movements by the Water King and Fire King.

The dances, masks, and yudate rituals also vary from one festival to another.

Yudate kagura and masked dances passed down through three festivals

What to expect

The festival proceeds through misogi, ceremonies, dances, and yudate rituals.

In Mukai, on the morning of the festival day, representatives of the parishioners perform misogi in the river, and yudate kagura is offered from the evening onward.

In Sakabe, the program continues with misogi in the Tenryu River and a procession, a ceremony before the gods, a dance by the miko, yudate rituals, and masked dances, concluding with a fire-prevention dance.

Location and access

Venue and address

The festivals are held at Suwa Shrine in Sakabe, Amaterasu Omikami Shrine in Mukai, and Ike Shrine in Okochi.

The location is in the mountainous area of southern Nagano Prefecture.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

Event venue 長野県天龍村 坂部の諏訪神社

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

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Dates and season

Season

Usually in early January

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Origins and History of Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura

Shimotsuki Kagura has been passed down as kagura expressing gratitude to the gods for the harvest in lunar calendar: November.

In Tenryu Village, the kagura performed at the three festivals in Mukai, Sakabe, and Okochi is collectively called “Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura.”

In Showa 53, Shimotsuki Kagura associated with these festivals was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, recognizing it as a folk performing art passed down in the region.

Source: 文化財 – 天龍村

Official information

The Tenryu Village Office’s cultural properties guide provides a list of cultural properties in the village, including Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura.

The Hachijuni Cultural Foundation’s “List of Tenryu Village Festival Locations” provides the names of the districts and shrines where the festivals take place.

Source: 天龍村の開催地一覧 - 信州の伝承文化 - 信州の文化財 - 八十二文化財団

Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura at a Glance

Tenryu Village’s Shimotsuki Kagura is a yudate kagura passed down through three festivals: Mukai, Sakabe, and Okochi.

Misogi, dances, yudate rituals, and masked dances are performed at each festival, expressing gratitude to the gods and prayers for health and protection from illness.

It is usually held in early January and is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.