F E S T I V A L ／ FEST-229
Iwakuni Yukaba no Kanmai (Sacred Kagura Dance of Yukaba)
岩国行波の神舞いわくにゆかばのかんまい
A kagura sacred dance handed down in Yukaba, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, since before the early modern era, and designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In the "shikinen-sai" (Gan-mai) held once every seven years (effectively every six), a temporary sanctuary is built on the riverbed of the Nishiki River and twelve dances are offered over roughly 15 hours. The greatest highlight is the "Matsu-nobori" (pine-climbing) rite of the "Hachikan": a "Kojin" deity-figure in white robes and a white headband climbs to the top of a roughly 25-meter pine, burns the "sanko" (sacred paper streamers) enshrined atop it, and then slides back down a stretched rope hanging upside-down. This aerial feat carries an electrifying, possessed intensity and preserves ancient kagura performance to this day. The 40th shikinen-sai was held in 2025, and the next is expected in 2031. In non-shikinen years, kagura is also offered at the grounds of Aratama Shrine during the autumn festival each October.
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01The "Matsu-nobori" rite—climbing a roughly 25 m pine and descending along a rope
- 02Twelve dances offered over roughly 15 hours in a sanctuary built on the Nishiki riverbed
- 03The possessed, electrifying aerial movements of the white-robed "Kojin"
- 04The rarity of a shikinen rite held once every seven years (effectively every six)
- 05Ancient kagura transmitted by local people since before the early modern era
D E E P D I V E
Deep Dive
R E F E R E N C E