Dedication and Traditional Performing Arts

Dedication is classified into ritual prayer, traditional performing arts, and Yuukui. Maidens in the service of local shrines chant ritual prayers. Traditional performing arts can be further classified into Kyongin (kyougen), which is a kind of short comic drama played by men, and Budoui (dancing) performed by women. Of all these, Ji-Kyongin, which is concerned with farming, is the most important. Ji-Kyongin consists of seven ritual performances; Hazama village performs four and Nakasuji village three. Crops provide a common theme in ritual prayer, Yuukui and Ji-Kyongin. All these three give a detailed explanation of such farming tasks as seeding, growing, weeding and harvesting. As there are hundreds of performances to be dedicated during the festival, a special day (Turukki) is set outside for the selection of a final program.
The following performances are some of those that were chosen in 1997.

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