Urahama Nembutsu Ken dance

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Ofunato

Overview

When Gen Yoshitsune was chased by his brother Yoritomo, and trying to fall to Kyushu on the sea from Otsunoura in Settsu, the ghost of Heike appeared and puzzled the group. At this time, Musashibo Benkei slammed the edge of the ship, read aloud the text of Kimono, and let the ghost escape. It is said that it was the beginning of this sword dance that made this humble spirit dance, and it is said that the rod Sasara played by Sasara, who plays the central role of the dancer, mimics the scroll of Benkei's scripture.
Although the origin is not clear, it is presumed to have started in the middle of the Edo period, and while repeating the resurgence and cessation and interruption, the Urahama Youth Association was revived in 1972, and a preservation society was formed.
In the Kesen region, the Kembu danced a mask and wore a pair of “Kagumi Dance” and Urahama Nemboku Kembu dance, removing the arms from the sleeves of the costume and hanging the sleeves from the back. (Also known as “shoulder anger sword dance”) because the In this Kesen dance of the Kesen district, Kensou in the Sanriku-cho area of Ofunato City is characterized by a ceremonial element that Sasara has a incense burner and the dancer burns.
Urahama Nembutsu Kenbu is devoted to the original activities outdoors, and the yard dance of the Bon is still performed, and the tradition form of the works and dance is also good, and it can be said that it is one of the representative Ken dances of the Kesen region.
Photo courtesy of: Urahama Nembutsu Ken Dance Preservation Society