Ｓｈｉｓｈｉ ｄａｎｃｅ ｉｎ ｆｒｏｎｔ ｏｆ Ｙａｓａｋａ Ｓｈｒｉｎｅ
秋分の日の連休で、この上山田のそれぞれの神社で中秋際が行います。主には温泉地区を守る波閉科神社、新山地区の圧内神社と八坂地区の八阪神社。そして、上山田神楽保存会が分担して、それぞれの秋祭りで獅子舞を行います。
私が獅子笛をやっております。一年中、ほぼ毎日の木曜日にお神楽のメンバーの皆と練習しています。この秋祭りの一年間のメインイベントです。
去年は私が庄内神社と波閉科神社の二つの祭りで獅子笛をやりました。今年は八阪神社と波閉科神社です。写真は22日に行われた八阪神社の中秋際。神社の前に獅子舞をしてから、役員さん達のそれぞれの家で舞いました。神社を出てから、子供相撲があったようだ。
こうやって中秋際とお神楽を通じて、それぞれの地区の皆様と良い縁が出来て、嬉しいです。八坂の皆様、これからも宜しくお願い致します。
Here in Japan, the autumnal equinox is a national holiday. In Kamiyamada, the various local shrines hold their annual Fall Festivals around that day. The 3 main festivals are at Shonai Shrine in the Arayama district, Yasaka Shrine in the Yasaka district, and Habeshina Shrine, the shrine whose area of protection includes our onsen town. The members of the Kagura Shi-Shi dance troupe are extra busy during this time, as we perform our lion dance at the various festivals.
I play the flute for the Kamiyamada Kagura troupe. We practice pretty much every Thursday throughout the year, and the Fall Festivals are the climax of our preparations. Last year I participated in the Shonai and Habeshina Shrines' festivals. This year it was Habeshina and, for the first time, Yasaka.
After performing in front of the shrine, we processed around the neighborhood doing the shishi dance at the houses of the various festival elders. After leaving the shrine, a kids sumo tournament was apparently held there.
Through these local fall festivals and the Kagura troupe, I gain a strong connection with the people living here. This year, it was my privelege to get to know the Yasaka people better.
Ｒｅａｄｙ ｆｏｒ ｓｕｍｏ
