STAY YAMAGATA

    The Ogisai Festival begins on February 1st with the Lunar New Year.  In this festival, one of the region's traditional dances, 'Kurokawa Noh' is performed by locals who serve Kasuga Shrine in Kurokawa, Tsuruoka City.  This dance is believed to have been passed down and performed for over 500 years.

    The festival is held over two days and is hosted by the leaders of two groups of servants, 'Kamiza' and 'Shimoza'.  In the morning of the first day, the 'ogi', or large fans, which represent the spirits of the shrine, arrive at the leaders' residence, the 'toya'.  The stages for the performances are then constructed.  Recently, community centers are commonly used instead of residences.  In the evening, a local child between the ages of four to six is chosen by each toya to perform 'Daichibumi', which symbolizes new life.  After the stage is considered to have been purified by this performance, traditional Noh and Kyogen dances are performed throughout the night.  The following day, the ogi return to the shrine as the two groups unite. After this, Noh is performed once again for the spirit of the shrine.