A Children's Dance Passed Down Since the Edo Period

With a history of over 400 years, the Hongo Kasuga Odori is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tambasasayama City.
This traditional dance is performed as an offering at Kasuga Shrine in Hongo, Tambasasayama. On four stages set up within the shrine grounds, local elementary school children perform dances to traditional music.
There are 15 known musical pieces, and the dances are categorized into three types: Te-odori (hand dance), Gohei-odori (ritual wand dance), and Sensu-odori (fan dance).
This time, the children performed a Te-odori to the song titled “Shisoni Kikiragi”. Eight young dancers, with serious expressions, danced with grace—captivating the audience, including many local residents.

While adults played the music, the children—with faces adorned in white powder and red makeup—performed the 15-minute traditional dance with elegance and coordination.
Their harmonious movements drew enthusiastic applause from the worshippers gathered to watch.

The Shrine’s Main Hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Hongo Kasuga Odori dates back to the Edo period and continues to reflect the customs and culture of the time.
The dance takes place in front of the main hall of Kasuga Shrine, which is believed to have been built by the Nakai family, a renowned group of sculptors active in the Tanba region during the late Edo period.
The building is adorned with intricate and elaborate carvings. In 2015, it was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.