センター日記

 

This dance originated at the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto but was later brought to neighboring Yamaguchi. It was in 1542 that the Yoshimi family of the Tsuwano clan introduced the Sagi-Mai from Yamaguchi and made it part of the annual festival. In the old days it was believed, that by performing this ritual one can protect oneself from infectious diseases. 

It is said, that the Heron Dance has been performed every year for more than 370 years only in Tsuwano as even at its origin, the then-capital Kyoto, at one time this tradition was discontinued. For generations now, it has been carried on by the people of Tsuwano, who are proud to continue this tradition. 

In the dance, there are two white herons, one male and one female (the one with open mouth is the male). There are also two, red wigged boufuri who are fending off daemons with their long sticks.

It is said that the festival was held each year on Jun 7th and 14th (according to the lunar calendar), and that the domain lord himself would watch from the watching-tower on the main street in front of the palace.

 

 Hyakkeizu No. 17 Sagi-mai (Dance of the Heron) at the Gion Festival

 

The Dance of the Heron would start from Yasaka-shrine, go to the front of the palace, and then it performed at the residence of the given year’s organizer, as well as at the otabisho (temporary destination or midway resting point of the deity) and in front of mansions in Tonomachi, Hara, and Nakajima.