This year we have invited four groups to EC so everyone can enjoy the performing arts of Sado Island during the festival. They are Tachibana Onidaiko’s Mamemaki and Shishi, Akadama Hanagasa Odori’s Onimai and  Shishi Odori, new workshop instructor group Hamakawachi Onidaiko, and EC regulars Kasuga Ondeko. Their performances will start at the Fringe venue and travel in true festival style door-to-door through the streets to end up at Kisaki Shrine. At the Fringe venue, NPO Sado Performing Arts Organization’s Yuki Matsuda will explain the performance styles as each group takes the stage. Don’t miss these arts, the real gems of Sado Island and the spiritual backbone of the local lifestyle.

Special Fringe: Sado Island Performing Arts

Aug. 19 (Sun) Fringe venue (Inside Harbour Market at Ogi Port Park)

13:00 – Tachibana Onidaiko / Mamemaki, Shishi
13:15 – Kasuga Ondeko
13:30 – Akadama Hanagasa Odori / Onimai, Shishi Odori
14:00 – Hamakawachi Onidaiko

*Each group will perform at the Fringe venue and then perform door-to-door through the Ogi Shopping Street to end up at Kisaki Shrine. This event will finish at Kisaki Shrine at around 15:00.

Performing Arts Introduction

Tachibana Onidaiko / Mamemaki, Shishi (Aikawa Area)

“Mamemaki” prays for abundant crops and prosperous offspring. It features an elderly man in ceremonial dress with wooden box cup who flaps his long sleeves as he dances to the beat of the taiko. A unique trait of this tradition is the taiko, beaten aggressively with brand new drumsticks made each year from a newly felled tree.

 

Akadama Hanagasa Odori / Onimai, Shishi Odori (Ryotsu Area)

These dances, said to have been learned in Kyoto in the Middle Ages and brought back to Sado, take place under a large conical hat adorned with flowers to the simple tones of chants, flutes and taiko. This onimai (demon dance) is performed as a prayer for rain and conjures a magical air. Shishi Odori (beast dance), danced by three beasts, has characteristics that are unique to Sado.

Kasuga Ondeko (Kasuga Area, Ryotsu)

Kasuga Onigumi are a group of demon drummers who uphold the traditional performing art of their district while each individual enjoys developing their own performance-style. Kasuga Onigumi will dance in the streets of Ogi as they go door-to-door in traditional festival style.

 

Hamakawachi Onidaiko (Hatano Area)

Every year on April 3, the young men of Sado’s Hamakawachi perform demon drumming to usher in the spring-festival season on the island. This style features two demons who dance to a taiko and flute accompaniment (the locals call this dancing “drumming”). It is called Maehama-ryu Onidaiko, and it is characterized by the roso, a guide for the demons who delivers a spoken message to each house that gives the dancers an offering.

>>Workshop | Hamakawachi Onidaiko

For Fringe lineup and schedule, please click here>>Event Info | Fringe Events