Inami Shishimai is a type of lion dance performed in Toyama Prefecture. Here, the shishi symbolizes the harshness and bounty of the natural world, and the matsuri focuses on the importance of harmony between people and nature. Adults play the role of the enormous shishi while a child is the shishi-tori, whose job is to pacify the shishi with sacred objects. This event is also an opportunity for local families to wish for happy marriages and children, and the shishi dances in celebration.
Shishimai: a lion dance.
In this performance, a young child faces off against a huge shishi.
Inami is a district of Nanto, in Toyama prefecture.
It's famous for woodcarvings, shrines, and temples.
It also has ten shishimai groups.
This one, representing the Tsubono neighborhood, is 140 years old.
I want to look good!
Practice was hard but I'm glad
I made it to the performance.
Local residents have waited three years for today.
I'm so happy. It's all so cute.
I can't wait to see it!
Before the shishimai begins, a ritual is held to pray for a good harvest.
48 people gather at the shrine.
Eight adults will be the shishi.
Most of the flutes and drums are played by elementary and junior-high students.
In this region, the shishi is a symbol of both the harshness and bounty of the natural world.
The dance conveys harmony between people and nature.
First a child known as a shishi-tori appears, and there's a showdown with the shishi called "Sanbaso."
The purpose of this performance is to prevent the spread of illness.
The shishi-tori is said by some to be a tengu mountain spirit.
He holds a sacred wand, and pacifies the shishi.
Up next is "Bokama," where the shishi-tori uses sacred objects including a rod and a sickle to battle the shishi.
In between performances is "Hana," or "Flower," when families announce auspicious events
such as marriages, births, or the building of a new home.
Celebratory paper is placed in the shishi's mouth, then the shishi heads to the shrine.
As part of the celebration, the shishi dances "Shomo."
"Shomo" features certain movements that are unique to this local lion dance.
The "Bokama," "Hana" and "Shomo" performances are repeated,
and then comes the final piece, "Gion Bayashi," an opportunity for the shishi to express joy.
I'm so pleased we could
do this after three years.
Perfect!
I hated not doing it
because of COVID-19.
I'm tired but I did my best.
I've always lived in Tsubono
so I found it very moving.
A brave child facing down a big shishi represents a community that will stand firm no matter what the future brings.