Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture
Experience 400 years of history through soul-stirring drumming and the shishi odori deer dance
Designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Miyagi and beloved by First-generation Daimyo of the Sendai Domain Masamune Date, experience the Hayakawa-ryu Suzunome Shishi Odori deer dance
The Yatsu Shika Odori deer dance is a folk performing art from Kurihara Ichihasama area with a 400-year history, which has been registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Miyagi Prefecture. The dance is called Yatsu Shika (lit. “Eight Deer”) due to the fact that there are 8 dancers per group.
They dance imitating the form of deer, wearing deer horns mounted on carved wooden heads and a 2.5-meter-long sasara drum at their waist. Wearing drums they pound, the performance is characterized by powerful movements conveying a meaning of ancestral memorial rites and rituals to ward off evil.
Schedule:
- Enjoy a private performance of the Hayakawa-ryu Suzunome Shishi Odori deer dance, beloved by Masamune Date and designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Miyagi Prefecture. Photography is permitted during the performance.
- Learn about the content and history of the performance from a member of the Suzunome Yatsu Shishi Preservation Society.
- Commemorative photoshoot.
Experience Snapshot
What's Included
Performance fee, commemorative photo, arrangement fee
Cost
Please inquire below.
Experience Availability
Available April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026
*Weekend and holiday reservations receive priority. Weekday reservations also accepted.
Average Duration
1 hour
Participants
From 1-30 guests.
Meeting Location
Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture
Important notes
Reservation availability may vary. Reserve to confirm availability.
Please notify us at least 3 days before if you must cancel or modify your reservation.
Requests for reservations for this experience must be made at least five weeks in advance.
Inquire today
You can send a booking inquiry below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm the booking with our partners and send you a booking confirmation email at least two weeks before your desired date.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of the experience.
Cancelation policy
Our cancelation policy for this experience is below. Percentages represent the non-refundable portion of your experience fee.
1 day before date of experience
50% of total price
Same day
No refund
