“Oikemono”, Shinto Ritual (part 2) , A Noh Stage

As I introduced in our previous staff blog, I visited “Oikenomono”, Shinto ritual which was held at Kamo Shrine in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture on February 23rd. I noticed an uncommon building when I was taking a video in the precinct. This is the big Noh stage which is located right in front of “Honden” (main sanctuary).

It is said that in Wakasa area including Obama City, Noh has been thrived since a long time ago, so there are many shrines with Noh stages. There is “Kuraza”, a Noh group, they still often perform Noh in many places.

At the Noh stage which is right in front of “Honden” (main sanctuary), “Mainobako” (the box which will be buried during this event) of this year and several kinds of offerings are offered to the god, and they offer a prayer.

I have read a blog in which the writer said that “On the stage at the quiet shrine during the daytime, singers and dancers perform Noh just only to give prayers to the god, not as a show. I was extremely moved by simplicity (of Noh)”. (*Blog/Wakasa: Travelling around villages to see Noh - written and photographs by Date Yoshinori)

Although I have not seen the Noh yet, I thought that it was the exact same way as what I felt when I saw the "Oikemono".

T.S