An autumn festival at Kiyokawa Tenpo Shrine, featuring a two-person dance accompanied by flute and drums

Four pieces and three dances, accompanied by flute and drums

The Nanonouchi no Shishimai, performed as an offering at the shrine, consists of four pieces and three dances—“Dōchū,” “Hei no Mai,” “Ran-jishi” and “Ken no Mai”—in which two dancers move to flute and drums. Knowing the names of the four pieces in advance gives you a useful guide as you watch the dancers and listen to the accompaniment. Rather than assuming the pieces will be performed in a particular order, follow the dance as it unfolds.

The tourism association describes the two-person dance, accompanied by flute and drums, as a “powerful and elegant lion dance.” The available information does not detail how the dance unfolds or what each piece involves, but its structure of four pieces and three dances, and the movement of two dancers to the music, offer concrete clues to this performance. Listen to how the dance and accompaniment come together as you follow the piece names.

In March 1976, the Nanonouchi no Shishimai was designated a Wakayama Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It is also said to be the northernmost example in Wakayama Prefecture of a tradition descended from Ise Daikagura. Alongside the dance as a ritual offering, consider its standing as a cultural property passed down in the community and the tradition it belongs to for a fuller sense of the festival’s background.

A performance revived and passed down by local residents

This lion dance has not continued without interruption. It is said to have faced extinction several times since the Meiji period, but was revived through the dedication of local residents. As you watch, you can look beyond the pieces and accompaniment to the story of the people who have kept this performance alive in their community.

The Nanonouchi no Shishimai can be understood through its links to Ise Daikagura, its reputation as the northernmost example of the tradition in the prefecture, and its revival after facing extinction. Without adding details about its origins, you can appreciate it as a local performing art by considering the names of its four pieces and three dances, the two-person dance, and its preservation by local residents. Visit with both the performance and its history in mind, including its designation as a cultural property.

The festival is held on the first Sunday of November each year; in 2026, it falls on November 1. The venue is Kiyokawa Tenpo Shrine. The available information does not give the festival or lion dance start time, or the schedule for the day, so check the latest information from the organizers or tourism association before you visit.

The venue is at 367 Kiyokawa, Minabe, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. The available information does not include directions from the nearest station, walking times or admission fees. Check the venue’s location before setting out, and consult the latest information for details on transport and viewing conditions.