Experiences with kagura (Shinto theater)

[davmandy]

Hi
I've just finished a book dealing with Shinto theater in the villages of Hiroshima and Shimane prefectures. I'm now collecting stories for a second book. If anyone has any experiences with other types of kagura nationwide and would like to share, please get in touch.

Cheers

David Petersen
"Invitation to Kagura: Hidden Gem of the Traditional Japanese Performing Arts"

 

[Chi65]

Sorry, I don't know very much about this, but have seen some, while visiting Japan.
One was during a summer festival in the north of Tokyo (but within town), I suppose it was a kind of plum-festival, as I have been told. Also they sold special fans with a raven or crow on it, for good luck. They were supposed to be hanged at the doors to keep bad spirits out.
If that rings a bell for some, please more details.

At some time in the afternoon the play started with wonderfull costumes. And since I seemed to be the only foreign visitor, I was asked to come close for fotos and watchings. They led me to a big rock beside the stage for a better view. The story was then also translated for me by the nice man, who invited me. But I did not record it, nor did I write it down then.

It was about a woman, that left her husband and became a kind of demon, while he searched for her and if I am not mistaken, killed that demon in the end. I never since heard that story again, but maybe you know it?

However, the people were very nice and to my surprise I got a special thanks for watching and a good bye from the speaker beside or on stage, accompanied by clappings of the audience. I am usually shy, but that really touched me!

I remember, that I found this beautifull place via a kind of monthly paper that was given to me at the Tokyo tourist office, which listed all similar events in nearer and farther surrounding of Tokyo, some also outside, where I then saw others too. They may still do so, and in your case I would ask them for help maybe?

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

A list of a festival of Kagura done in Japan
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[Chi65]

Thanks, but aah, I can only read english lists myself. What a pity!

Greetings to one of my favourite, and as I think most exciting, cities of Japan (Fukuoka), by the way!
(We also had some visitors from F. here in Berlin later on, I connected them with the Humboldt University)