Toujin Dance
The origin of Toujin Dance was in 1636,
as an attraction of Tsu Hachiman shrine's ceremony started from the previous year.
After that, with several year's suspention during world war, it was
conveyed more than 360 years in this commercial town Wakebe-cho.
It is said that current Toujin dance was made imitating old Korean delegation sent from Yi dinasty Korea to Edo samurai government.
Current member of Toujin are, Signal pole cart as the first,
big flag (with picture of rising dragon), Seidou flag, 2 trumpets, dancer, 2 fluts,
2 gongs, big drum, 2 small drums, Rei flag, General, umbrella, 2 middle officer,
4 Sasaras, Seidou flag, big flag(with picture of dropping dragon), total 23 people, wearing
different masks revealing various emotions.
At Tsu festival in every October, they march following "Michibayashi", arranged on the base of old Shinto music, visit more than 300 houses during 2 days,
showing rythmical dance.
In 1991, it was assigned to be Non-form folk cultural treasure from Mie prefectural government.
In 1998, awarded from Ministry of Education, as a contributor for local culture development.
