The “Kawai Hana no Mai” is a sacred dance thanking the gods for a bountiful harvest and praying for health and safety in the coming year. This article introduces the history and charm of this traditional dance…

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Kawai Hana no Mai, designated as a prefectural intangible folk cultural property, will be dedicated in Sakuma-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City.

The Kawai Hana no Mai is a kagura dance performed at Yasaka Shrine’s Shimotsuki Festival on the last Saturday of October every year, and is a way to give thanks to the gods for bountiful harvests and pray for good health in the coming year.

In this article, we will explain in detail the history and appeal of Kawai Hana no Mai, as well as the current crowdfunding campaign.

What is Kawai Hana no Mai?

Kawai Hana no Mai was registered as a prefectural intangible folk cultural property of Shizuoka Prefecture on January 1, 1976, and is still cherished and passed down by the local residents of Kawai, Sakuma Town.

The origin and history of Kawai Hana no Mai

The origins of the Hananomai in Sakuma-cho, Tenryu Ward are unclear.

However, an old document recording the year of Shimotsuki in the mid-Edo period (1799/Kansei 11) contains mention of “Hananomai,” indicating that Hanamai was already being performed at that time.

Kawai Hana no Mai is known for offering Kagura dance accompanied by “Yutate.”

Yutate is a purification ritual in which boiled water from a kettle is sprinkled on the surface.

Originally, the Hananomai was handed down in each of the eight districts of Sakuma Town, but following the construction of Sakuma Dam, it is now only performed in the Kawai district.

Additionally, the neighboring prefectures of Minami Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture) and Higashi Mikawa (Aichi Prefecture) also have their own distinctive Hananomai (Shimotsuki Kagura).

The charm and highlights of Kawai Hana no Mai

At Kawai Hana no Mai, water is boiled in a “Yugama” and up to 20 Kagura dance pieces are performed as an offering.

The Hananomai is broadly divided into three parts: the Yutate Ritual, the Harvesting Dance, and the Mengyo Dance.

One of the highlights is the performance featuring demon masks.

In the climax of the performance, the “Yubayashi no Mai,” four dancers dance holding yutabusa (bundles made of straw), which they dip into a kettle and sprinkle hot water on the worshippers.

It is said that spraying this hot water offered to the gods will bring good health, safety in the home, and other benefits.

You can experience the “Born Clean” ritual of “Yutate Kagura,” in which you are cleansed of impurities by soaking in the hot water and are reborn with a pure soul.

Announcement of the 2024 Kawai Flower Dance (October 26th)

This year will be the first time in a long while that the event will be held as normal. It will be dedicated at Yasaka Shrine in Kawai, Sakuma-cho, Tenryu Ward.

・Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024

・Time: Around 2pm to late night

・Venue: Yasaka Shrine (Kawai, Sakuma-cho, Tenryu-ku, Hamamatsu City)

・Organizers: Kawai Hana no Mai Preservation Society

Why not take this opportunity to experience the local traditional performing art, “Kawai Hana no Mai”?

Currently, the Kawai Hana no Mai Preservation Society is attempting a crowdfunding campaign to preserve this traditional performing art for future generations.

This text conveys the thoughts of those involved in Kawai Hana no Mai, so please take a look at it as well.

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Click here for more information on crowdfunding

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/795093/view

(This has already ended.)