``I really wanted to help
,'' so the man decided to ``dance'' for the community in the neighboring town.
What are the thoughts of the region and the men who are searching for new forms to preserve their traditions?
Approximately 20 people live in the Ogari district, located approximately 6 kilometers south of the center of Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, where the traditional ``Ogari Kagura'' is performed to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. It has been passed down.
However, due to the aging of the local population, there is a shortage of successors, and five years ago, the group was forced to cancel its night-long performance of ``Yokagura'' (Yokagura), which is now facing a crisis in its survival.
Dancers have also expressed concerns, such as ``I can't move my legs anymore'' and ``I don't know how many years I have left to dance.''
Under these circumstances, Tatsuki Iiboshi (24), an employee of the neighboring Hinokage Town, appealed to the preservation society formed by dancers and others to ensure its survival.
Mr. Iiboshi left his hometown once after graduating from high school, but returned to Hinokage-cho a few years ago because he wanted to cherish the atmosphere of helping each other in the community.
Under the guidance of members of the preservation society, they practiced for three days after work before the Kagura performance, and on the 20th of last month, they performed in front of more than 50 people who gathered from inside and outside the prefecture.
A local woman said, ``I think our kagura is the best.''
Mr. Iiboshi
: ``Since I've been back to my hometown, I've been hearing about these kinds of things, so I really wanted to help.It felt like home and I had fun dancing.I will continue to increase the number of dances I can do. I hope that by doing so, I can contribute even a little bit to the continuation of Kagura."
Noriichi Kai, the representative of the preservation society, said, ``I am heartened that Mr. Iiboshi danced so hard,'' and the preservation society hopes to receive support from people living away from home and from other areas. I also want to protect the Kagura of my hometown.