Naginata Odori Festival 長刀踊り まつり

Held annually on May 5 by Azu Jinja Shrine in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, the festival consists of dances and music by children, taiko drumming, a naginata dance and acrobatics by boys using a pole sword, and a roundtrip procession from Azu Shrine to Azu Wakamiya Shrine. Video shot on May 5, 2009. Photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=128

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• japan
• shiga
• moriyama
• naginata
• odori
• matsuri
• festival
• children
• dance
• taiko
• drum
• 滋賀県
• 守山市
• 長刀踊り
• まつり

[yondaiime]

Oh mine, so is the meaning is internal? =( btw, great vídeo, just love it!

[photojpn]

@yondaiime The meaning is not secret or anything. If you can understand the lyrics of the song, you would likely understand the meaning of the dance. If you ask the man singing, he would know the meaning of the dances. But he's too busy to answer questions and the tourist info people are not expert enough to explain it in their literature.

[yondaiime]

Why there only kids doing those dances? What's the meaning of this dances?

[photojpn]

@yondaiime Adults also dance, but they do a different dance. This festival features multiple types of dances. I'm sure whatever they do or wear has some meaning. Unfortunately, this information is not readily available for most festivals.

[Hikikomori013]

@photojpn I was reading about the Naginata Odori and came looking for a video. Thanks for posting this.

According to legend, Toyoki Iribiko no Mikoto, the eldest son of Emperor Sujin, crossed Lake Biwa 2,000 years ago on his way to conquer the eastern barbarians. The festival commemorates his stay in Moriyama.

[kclama]

Interesting festival, thanks for sharing.