Iwami Kagura, the world of Japanese mythology & 2017 Performance Schedule

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Amongst famous Japanese traditional performing arts like Kabuki and Noh, Kagura is the oldest with its origin in ancient Japanese mythology. It was originally offered to shinto deities to welcome and entertain them, and performed only by shinto priests and miko at shinto shrines thanking and praying for abundant crop and bumper, however, it has become widely common for the public to be enjoyed with.

Especially in the eastern Shimane, where is referred to as the Iwami region, it is called “Iwami Kagura” and very popular for containing entertaining features, such as use of sound and visual effects so that the performance can be better understood for the audience.

The series of performances usually starts with a ritualistic dance to welcome the deities, and then entertaining performances follows. Performers dressed up in gorgeous costumes dance to the rhythmical sounds made by traditional Japanese instruments.

There are varieties of about thirty programs, and performers play deities, demons, and sometimes humans who appear in ancient Japanese mythology. Among them, “Orochi” can be said as the most popular. This program is about a heroic deity Susano-o slaying an evil serpent called Yamata-no-orochi and save Princes Inada. The serpent had eight heads and eight tails and its body was long enough to cover eight peaks and valleys.

This is the special version of Kagura, which is performed on the beach. It is called “Umi (the Sea) Kagura” and take place on August 13th every year. The highlight of the day comes along the dark when they dance with the settling sun on their back. Bonfires are lit, and it makes the ritual dances even more mysterious.

Where you can enjoy Iwami Kagura casually

==Regular Schedule for April 2017 to March 2017== *Please refer the map below

Oda City

1. Omori Town Kouryu Centre (Omori Town, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine) [map]
Dates and times : May 3-7, Jul. 1, 2, 15-17, Aug. 11-13, Sep. 16-18, Oct. 7-9
Two 30-40 min performances (11am~ and 1:30pm~).
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

2. Tatsuno-gozen-jinja Shrine (Yunotsu Onsen) [map]
Dates and times : 8pm~9pm, Every Saturday
Admission Fee : 800 JPY

Gotsu City

3. Yunomachi-Kaguraden (Arifuku Onsen) [map]
Dates and times : June 24, July 15, Aug. 12, Sep. 16, Oct. 21
8:30pm~9:30pm
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

4. PALETTE Gotsu [map]
Dates and times : Apr. 23, May 28, Jun. 18, Jul. 23, Aug. 27, Sep. 17, Dec. 17, Jan. 28. Feb. 25, Mar. 25
11am~12pm & 1pm~2pm
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

Hamada City

5A. Sanku Shrine [map]
Dates and times : 7:30pm~8:30pm, Every Saturday
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

5B. Asahi-so (Asahi Onsen) [map]
Dates and times : 8:30pm~9:30pm, Every Saturday (Sep. 9 – Nov.18)
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

6. AQUAS Hasshi Square [map]
Dates and times : 1pm~3pm, Sundays and National Holidays (Apr.to Nov.)
Admission : Free of Charge

7. Road Station Yuhi Park Hamada [map]
Dates and times : 1pm~3pm, 2nd Sunday of every month
Admission : Free of Charge

Masuda City

8. Masuda EAGA Building [map]
Dates and times : 7:30pm~9pm, Every Saturday (except Sep. to Dec.), Aug. 12-15
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

Tsuwano Town

9. Road Station Nagomi-no-sato (Tsuwano Onsen) [map]
Dates and times : 11am~ and 2pm~, 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month
Admission Fee : Free of Charge

10. Taikodani Inari Shrine [map]
Dates and times : 8pm~9pm, Every Saturday (Aug. to Sep.) *Except for Aug. 12
Admission Fee : 500 JPY

==Iwami Kagura Venues==