Kagura Dances

 Kagura is a form of ritual dance that has existed in multiple forms in Japan since ancient times.  It is actually from these folk kagura dances that Japan's oldest form of theater, Noh, originates.  In northeaster Tohoku many forms of kagura exists, but the form that usually stands out the most are those that involve a divine deer for the dancers wear elaborate masks and typically have two long antlers protruding from their backs.  The pictures show are of the more southern version of the deer kami costume.  The further North one goes the larger the costume and the antlers become.  This particular dance photographed was in Sendai for a festival celebrating a previous feudal lord.  Notice the feudal markings on the costume.  Of interest is how much of the dance revolves in a circular motion consistent with circling a fire common in old shamanic rituals.  The addition of a tree common to tanabata celebrations was interesting since this was not a tanabata related celebration.  Sendai already bosts the largest tanabata festival in the nation which was not overlapping with the event depicted.  Although the costumes are less elaborate than those found further north, the mouths of these costumes opened whenever the dancer leaped into the air.