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About Mito Daikagura

greeting

As the successor of Mito Daikagura

The 15th head of the Mitohan Tokugawake Goyou KaguraYanagiya Katsuzo

The Mito Daikagura has existed since before the Edo period, and during the Edo period, it toured the Mito domain to perform purification rituals for the Mito Tokugawa family. I am currently the 15th head of the family, and I am protecting the traditions of the Mito Daikagura.

Even though it is a local performing art, it is difficult to preserve the tradition as a profession. First, you have to master the skills of the performing art of O-Kagura. This requires daily practice, and you learn by working hard. In the past, people would say, "Buy your troubles even if you have to," but now the trend is, "Don't sell your troubles even if you have to." For this reason, O-Kagura, which was distributed throughout the country, has gone out of business one after another as its successors have become company employees. The only few remaining are a few groups in Mito, Aizu, Ise, Izumo, and Tokyo. It is only a matter of time before they decrease in number. Although it is different from O-Kagura, I heard that the famous Niigata Kakubeijishi has lost its flute player and is no longer able to perform the music properly.

It is impossible to revive a traditional performing art once it has disappeared, performed by a professional. This is a problem that Mito-style O-kagura is currently facing. This includes the hardships of learning the art and financial issues. I manage to cover this by diversifying my business, but it is no easy task to train successors while learning the art. O-kagura was born from the common people, and has lived alongside them, sharing their joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness, and above all, praying for their safety, health, prosperity of their families, and other happiness. I want to pass on the wonderfulness of Mito O-kagura as a folk performing art that lives on alongside the common people.

As a master of O-Kagura, I have taken over the will of my respected father, and for the sake of my predecessors who have entrusted the future of O-Kagura to me, as the 15th head of Mito O-Kagura, a school with over 300 years of history, I am determined to do my best to protect, develop and pass on the traditions, and I have made it my life's mission to do so. I would therefore like to conclude my greetings by asking for your continued patronage and encouragement.

Program Introduction

Lion Dance

Lion Dance

By biting the head, prayers are offered to cleanse the body of sins and impurities and to grant freedom from illness and disaster.

Shoki Dance

Shoki Dance

It is a special "prayer dance" performed at important times such as "warding off bad luck from an unlucky year," "celebrating a new home," and "celebrating the birth of a child."

Ebisu and Daikoku Dance

Ebisu and Daikoku Dance

This is a "celebratory dance" that prays for "prosperity of the family," "bountiful harvests," and "a satisfying big catch." There are many other celebratory dances, such as "Okame-sama."

Acrobatics

Acrobatics

The acrobatics of Daikagura, which have been passed down since the Edo period, are different from other arts such as juggling, and include "purification" and "celebration," and are also arts that emphasize attention. Many acrobatics have been passed down in Mito Daikagura.

Improvised Paper Craft: Paper Cutting (Dharma)

Improvised Paper Crafts

(Paper cutting)

A vaudeville performance. The art involves cutting pictures and other things into paper with scissors in an improvised manner. The cuts are made to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Mito Daikagura (Yanagiya) introduced this to the arts immediately after the war. Hanabusa Itcho (a disciple of Ryuutei  Saraku's disciple, and later Ogura Iccho), head of the Hanabusa school and a close friend of the second Shoraku in the performing arts world, began performing it while accompanying purification pilgrimages. Later, Ozawa Yanagi assisted, and currently Yanagiya Katsuzo has been entrusted with the rights to the Hanabusa school and has inherited it. (Paper cutting stage name: Hanabusa Shocho, later Hanabusa Shiraku)

Yanagiya Katsuzo Entertainment Agency

2-13-23 Tokiwacho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 310-0033

(50m from Kairakuen Park, Onarimon Gate)

Lion Kagura

Tel.029-227-6688 Fax.029-224-6688

Entertainment agency

The 15th head of the Mitohan Tokugawake Goyou KaguraYanagiya Katsuzo, and his troupe

Magicians, hosts, rakugo, manzai, and other entertainers, planning, and composition

Mito Daikagura Performing Arts Class

Lion dance, acrobatics, flute, drums, shamisen

© Mito Daikagura Headquarters

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