1100 years of dancing for the gods

Every autumn, people across Japan give thanks for the year’s bountiful harvest with rituals that date back centuries. The mountainous town of Yusuhara in northwestern Kochi is no different. Here, you will find a traditional dance performance called Tsunoyama Kagura, which locals have preserved for over 1100 years. You may want to bring a cushion, however, because the entire performance lasts for over 8 hours!

Tucked away across the Yusuhara River, Mishima Shrine is home to Tsunoyama Kagura performances during the annual autumn festival (October 30 to November 23 this year). It is a powerful experience to listen to the upbeat drums and mystical flutes echo in the intimate space of the worship hall, while the dancers embody such dynamic yet nimble movements

Whether they are standing up, sitting down, moving forward or retreating, the dancers' every step seems to flow naturally and intuitively, but in reality, they are following very strict rules. The strictness is based on the belief that the gods will not be comforted unless specific etiquettes and actions are followed

You will find dancers in their 20s and 30s all the way to those above 60, which shows just how much the community of Yusuhara comes together to keep the tradition of Tsunoyama Kagura alive today, and hopefully for centuries to come

Mishima Shrine stands at the start of the Dappan no Michi trail, which Kochi-born hero Ryoma Sakamoto is said to have traveled on his way to help end the 250-year-long feudal age in 1868. Come stretch your legs along the path after enjoying the Tsunoyama Kagura performance! Learn more: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/topics/829

A heartfelt thanks to Yusuhara Kumonoue Tourism Association for letting us share these beautiful photos of Tsunoyama Kagura! Check out their website here: https://yusuhara-kumonoue-kanko.jp/english/