Matsuri Festivals
Iwanuma Lion Dance
Sat, Oct 17, 2026 · Kosanrei Shrine, Chosei · Chiba
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Dates
- Sat, Oct 17, 2026
About this event
SummaryA 400-year-old traditional festival featuring the Iwanuma Lion Dance, an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Chiba Prefecture, performed to pray for safety, harvests, and the dispelling of epidemics.
Highlights
- Historic festival with over 400 years of tradition
- Performed in conjunction with the autumn festival of Kōsanrei Shrine
- Features the renowned 'Randama no Mai' acrobatic performance
- Two lions perform synchronized routines on a ladder
- Accompanied by nostalgic rhythms of traditional music from the shrine's forest
Details
The Iwanuma Lion Dance is a historic event designated as an intangible folk cultural asset by Chiba Prefecture. Held in October alongside the festival of the Kōsanrei Shrine, the dance is performed to pray for the safety of the parishioners, abundant harvests, and the dispelling of epidemics. Various performances take place, but the final act, 'Randama no Mai,' is particularly famous for its exquisite skill. This performance features two lions executing acrobatics and passing each other on a ladder, captivating spectators with synchronized ascents and descents. The festival conveys local folk culture to the nostalgic rhythm of music heard from the shrine's forest, preserving and transmitting the traditions of the community.
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