Two Festivals Preserving a Shared Tradition
Oki Dengaku and Niwa-no-Mai consist of two related festivals held alternately every other year in Nishinoshima. One is Dengaku, performed at Mita Hachimangu Shrine in the Mita district, while the other is Niwa-no-Mai, performed at Hiyoshi Shrine in the Urago district.
Although the festivals have different names and are held at different shrines, they share many traditional elements. Performances such as Kami-no-Sumo, a ritualized form of sumo wrestling, and Dengaku-odori, a group dance, have been preserved in both traditions.
A Tradition with Centuries of History
Niwa-no-Mai is traditionally said to have been introduced to the Oki Islands approximately 800 years ago by the warrior Mano Sogen, who came to Oki from the ancient province of Omi. The performance incorporates elements associated with ancient Japanese court dances known as Azuma-asobi and Yamato-mai.
Its distinctive style is particularly valuable because similar forms are rarely found elsewhere in Japan. Dengaku, meanwhile, is believed to have already been performed by the end of the Muromachi period. Over the centuries, both traditions have been carefully maintained by the local community.
Rituals, Dances, and Highlights of the Festival
The festivals feature several traditional performances, including Niwa-no-Mai, Kami-no-Sumo, and Dengaku-odori. One of the most distinctive is Kami-no-Sumo, in which boys perform movements based on sumo wrestling as part of the religious ceremony. The ritual carries symbolic meaning associated with divining the prospects for an abundant harvest.
Dengaku-odori is a large-scale dance performed by 12 dancers. The performers move in carefully coordinated patterns, creating striking geometric formations as the dance progresses. The combination of precise movements, traditional costumes, instruments, and rhythmic patterns makes this performance particularly captivating.
Individual sections of the performance include Chumon-guchi, Suttende, Ko-zasara, and So-odori. Each has its own distinctive costumes, props, rhythms, and movements. Accompanied by traditional flute and drum music, the dances create an atmosphere that is both energetic and deeply sacred.
A Cultural Tradition Sustained by the Entire Community
The continuation of these traditional performing arts depends on the participation of the local community. Residents take on different responsibilities, from preparing the performance space and costumes to providing the accompanying music and supporting the ceremonies themselves.
This collective effort is an important part of the tradition. By working together across generations, local residents preserve not only the performances but also the history, religious practices, and sense of community associated with them.
When to Experience Oki Dengaku and Niwa-no-Mai
Dengaku is held at Mita Hachimangu Shrine around the middle of September in odd-numbered years. Niwa-no-Mai is held at Hiyoshi Shrine on the ninth day of the ninth month according to the traditional lunar calendar in even-numbered years.
Because the two traditions are held in alternating years, the experience available to visitors depends on when they travel to Nishinoshima. For those interested in Japanese traditional culture, timing a visit to coincide with one of these festivals offers a rare opportunity to experience a living tradition within its original community setting.
A Living Cultural Treasure of the Oki Islands
Oki Dengaku and Niwa-no-Mai are much more than traditional dances. They embody the history, religious beliefs, agricultural traditions, and collective spirit of the people of Nishinoshima.
For international visitors, experiencing these performances offers a unique opportunity to see a side of Japanese culture that cannot be fully understood through museums or historical monuments alone. In the peaceful atmosphere of Nishinoshima, the sacred dances, traditional music, and carefully preserved rituals provide a memorable glimpse into a cultural tradition that has survived for centuries.