[Japan Heritage] A thorough explanation of Sanyare-odori in KUSATSU, a folk performing art from Kusatsu City!

What is "Sanyare-odori in KUSATSU"?

This is a traditional performing art that is handed down in seven districts within Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture: Yagura, Shimogasa, Kataoka, Natsuka, Shina, Yoshida, and Shinanaka.

It is said to be a tribute to the elegant music festival that was popular in the capital during the late Middle Ages to ward off plague. Beautifully dressed children move from place to place and perform simple dances repeatedly while playing lively instruments such as drums, taiko drums, surigane (Japanese gongs), sasara (Japanese bells), and flutes. Surrounded by people carrying gifts such as sakaki branches and folding fans, they dance while singing and chanting "Sanyare, Sanyare."

There are various theories about the origin of the word "Sanyare," but one theory is that it is derived from the phrase "May good fortune come" (happiness is good) which eventually changed to "Sanyare."

It is held in various parts of the city every year on May 3rd, but the events vary by region - Yagura is held once every two years, while Nagatsuka is held once every three years.

Sanyare-odori in KUSATSU, Different in Each of the Seven Regions

1. Sanyare Dance of China

The dancers in happi coats wear red or yellow sashes that correspond to the roles they play, and warriors wearing helmets accompany the procession.

Location: Sosha Shrine

Address: 238 Shinanakamachi, Kusatsu City

Access: Take the bus bound for Mizunomori Botanical Garden from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. Get off at the bus stop [Anamura] and walk for 6 minutes.

2. Sanyare Dance of China

The group is made up mainly of junior and senior high school students wearing white happi coats with black obi belts. The lining of the sleeves of the drummers is made of stylish and luxuriously patterned fabric.

Location: Shina Shrine

Address: 727 Shinamachi, Kusatsu City

Access: Take the bus bound for Mizu no Mori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Kita-Ogaya], it is about a 20-minute walk from the bus stop.

3. Sanyare Dance of Yoshida

The group is made up of young people wearing white happi coats, and the drummers and gong players dance wearing red sashes. The performance, performed together with "Sunaburi no Fuji" (Sand-rubbed Wisteria), is a highlight.

*"Sand-rubbed Wisteria" is so named because its spikes grow so long that they rub against the ground.

"Sand-rubbed Wisteria"

Location: Sandai shrine

Address: 309 Shinamachi, Kusatsu City

Access: Take the bus bound for Mizu no Mori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Kita Ogaya], it is about a 10-minute walk

4. Sanyare Dance of Shimokasa

Children wear colorful costumes, flower hats, and white makeup on their faces, while adults dance in costumes decorated with cloud dragons and Chinese lions.

Location: Oisugi Shrine

Address: 1194 Shimokasacho, Kusatsu City

Access: Take the bus bound for Mizu no Mori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Shimokasa Chuo], it is about a 10-minute walk

5. Sanyare Dance of Nagatsuka

It is held once every three years. The children who play the taiko drums wear flower hats and long kimonos with three-colored sashes (red, blue, and yellow), while the children who receive the drums wear white happi coats and two-colored sashes.

Location: ①Ikishiro Shrine ②Kasuga Shrine

Address: ①245 Kataoka-cho, Kusatsu City ②180 Nagatsuka-cho, Kusatsu City

Access: 1. Take the bus bound for Mizunomori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Kataoka], it is about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.

② Take the bus bound for Mizu no Mori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Ashiura], it is about a 20-minute walk from the bus stop.

6. Kataoka's Sanyare Dance

The group wears white happi coats with black collars, and the children playing the drums are wearing happi coats made from yuzen-dyed fabric.

Location: Ikishiro Shrine

Address: 245 Kataokacho, Kusatsu City

Access: Take the bus bound for Mizu no Mori from the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. After getting off at the bus stop [Kataoka], it is about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.

Kataoka's Sanyare Dance Video

7. Yagura Sanyare Dance

It is held once every two years. Children wear colorful costumes, mainly pink flower hats, while adults wear kamishimo (traditional Japanese formal kimono).

Location: ① Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine ② Tachiki shrine

Address: ①3-1 Nishiyagura, Kusatsu City ②1-3 Kusatsu 4-chome, Kusatsu City

Access: 1. Take the bus bound for Daigakubyo from the east exit of JR Kusatsu Station (Mame Bus)

Get off at the bus stop [Yagura Kaikan] and walk for 3 minutes

Fare: Adults (junior high school students and above): 200 yen

Children (elementary school students): 100 yen

*Quoted from the Kusatsu City website Mamebus map

② Take the bus bound for Kusatsu Station East Exit from JR Kusatsu Station East Exit (Mame Bus)

Get off at the bus stop [Tachiki shrine-mae]

Fare: Adults (junior high school students and above): 200 yen

Children (elementary school students): 100 yen

*Quoted from the Kusatsu City website Mamebus map

A cultural heritage recognized not only in Japan but also around the world

In May 2018, it was added to the Japan Heritage list "Lake Biwa and its Waterside Landscape - A Water Heritage of Prayer and Life," along with Ashiura Kannonji, located in Kusatsu City.

Among Japan's folk cultural assets, it is considered a historically valuable cultural asset, as it traces the lineage of the elegant dance that was popular in the Kinai region during the Middle Ages. In February 2020, it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan as "Omi Konan Sanyare Dance" along with the Kojo Festival (Kurita City).

In addition, in November 2022, this "Omi Konan Sanyare Dance" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the 41 "Furyu Dances" across the country.

*The "Sanyare-odori in KUSATSU" is included in the "Omi Konan Sanyare Dance" group of "Furyu Dance" registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO .

What is Japan Heritage?

"Japan Heritage" is a program recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs that tells the story of our country's culture and traditions through the historical charm and characteristics of the region. The goal is to revitalize the region by having the region take the initiative in comprehensively developing and utilizing the attractive tangible and intangible cultural properties that are essential to telling the story, and strategically promoting them both domestically and internationally.

What is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property?

These are intangible cultural properties designated by the government as being particularly important among folk cultural properties, and include manners, customs, folk techniques, and folk performing arts.

What is UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Intangible Cultural Heritage?

It is recognized that as a result of social changes, the world's intangible cultural heritage is at risk of decline or disappearance, and this is an international initiative to protect performing arts, customs, ceremonies, festivals, skills, etc.