Noh play “Okina” dedication at Kasuga Shrine(Kurooka) ※The January 1, 2024 performance has been cancelled due to construction of the Noh stage.

“Okina”(an old man) is a Gancho(New year’s morning) Noh play that announces the beginning of a new year in Tambasasayama.

The dedication performance will be held on the Kasuga Shrine Noh stage from around 0:20am on January 1st every year.

※The January 1, 2024 performance has been cancelled due to construction of the Noh stage.

Tambasasayama’s Gancho Noh is known as the earliest performance in Japan, and is called one of the “Tamba Three Great Nohs” along with [Kasuga Noh in spring] and [Tamba Night Noh in autumn (currently suspended)].

In recent years, it was broadcasted live on NHK’s program “Yuku Toshi Kuru Toshi”(The Year Going Out, The Year Coming In ), and many people have come to know about it.

It is a tradition of Tambasasayama to see “Okina” during their first visit to the shrine on New Year’s day and exchange New Year’s greeting.

“Okina” is said to have origins in Sarugaku (the ancient performance), and is a dance performed in celebrations to pray for peace, longevity, and bountiful harvests.

The Umewaka family (Kanze school), which follows the tradition of Tamba Sarugaku, performs every year.

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