Dragon Head Dance (ryuuzumai)

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Dragon Head Dance, ryuuzu mai 龍頭舞 　
ryuutomai, ryutomai ryuutoo no mai, ryuto no mai 龍頭の舞

At the Senbongi Shrines Fall Festival　



Usually Lion Head dance is dedicated in Japan, but “Ryutoomai (Dragon head dance)”is dedicated to Senbongi Shrine. He carries a“Tobusa”on his head, which is made of Japanese paper. When they dance the paper falls on the ground. If you pick it and decorate on your house door, they will protect you from diseases and disasters.

Isesaki Town, Gunma Prefecture

千本木神社秋季大祭

せんぼんぎりゅうとうまい

頭に飾られた和紙で作った鳥総（とぶさ）が踊るたびに散らばるが、それを拾って玄関に飾ると魔除けになると言われる。
http://www15.wind.ne.jp/~welcome-gunma/data/isesaki/index.htm

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Another famous dance of this kind is performed in Hachioji.


The Lion Head Dance of Yottsuya

This dance is more than 400 years old and a cultural property of the town. It has been brought to the area by a travelling performance group.
The Dragon Head Dancers stand up high and beat a drum.

四谷龍頭の舞 Yotsuya Ryuutoo no Mai


© PHOTO　shimizu kobo


One more photo


© PHOTO　Japan Festival Web

.. Hachioji and Dragon Head Dances

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Daruma Museum Archives

Dragon Head Dance 「竜頭の舞」
The Minuma Dragon God Dance


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Daruma Museum, Japan

Kagura

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Read : Kagura Dance in Japan
By Gabi Greve

In many Japanese Kagura Dances, the Dragon/Snake Yamata no Orochi is defeated by the Gods.

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Iwami Kagura 石見神楽



As a result of the evil deeds of her brother Susano-wo, the sun-goddess Amaterasu-omikami hid herself in the Cave of Heaven.
Susano, having been chased from Heaven, wandered across the continent of China until he crossed into the land of Izumo (modern Shimane prefecture) and came to the River Hi, where he met Princess Inada and an old couple wailing and lamenting.

When Susano asked why they were so upset, he was told that every year the terrible eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi appeared, and that it had already devoured seven of their daughters and would soon come to take their remaining child, Princess Inada. Susano soon formulated a plan and made the Orochi drink some poisoned sake brewed from various nuts, and then killed it whilst it was drunk.

He then recovered from the monster’s tail a sword that he named Ame-no-murakumo-no-tsurugi (Treasure Sword of Heaven) and presented it to his sister Amaterasu.
He then married Princess Inada.

Quoted from:
http://www.city.hamada.shimane.jp/en/kagura/orochi.htm

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Daruma Museum, Japan