Relatives of Toujin
Among Japanese traditional folk culture related to Korean delegation, only Toujin Dance of Higashitamagaki-cho in Suzuka city,
Karako Dance of Ushimado town in Okayama pref.,remain except ours.
recently, Sasa Dance of Toyokawa city in Aichi pref. is said to be origined from Korean delegation, considering its dance movement and costume, but
not broadly agreed yet.
Toujin dance in Suzuka is held in every April as a festival for Gyutou-tennousha shrine located in Higashi tamagaki-cho, which used to be territory of Toudou family
, along route 23. Young guys wearing masks dance following drums and gongs, walk around pursueing or surprising ladies and children in joke.
Toujin in Suzuka
Even though there are not reliable evidence, "New version history of Suzuka" defines Suzuka Toujin's dance music as Chinese style,
estimating that it was created in Nagasaki at the middle of Edo era, boomed in Osaka, then was imported as an event for festival,
putting result that its origin should be found in China or Korea.
On the other hand, from the view point of relation with Korean delegation, many specialists insist the influence to Suzuka Toujins
considering similarity of instruments, clothes, hat etc. And according to Ms.Taeko Kusano, specialist of traditional folk music and professor of Musashino Music University,
its melody seems to get influenced from Chosun music. It was also assigned as a Non form folk cultural treasure by Mie prefectural government in 1997.
Karako Dance of Ushimado town in okayama pref. is famous because it is the only moving culture existing in places where
Korean delegation actually stepped in. It is introduced in elementary school text with pictures.
Before the World War two, it was said to be related to war with Shilla dinasty by Empress Jingu,
as Tsu Toujin was also said to be originated from Toyotomi Hidetoshi's war with Yi dinasty Chosun.
Recently, it is broadly recognized and maintained as a folk heritage originated from Korean delegation,
getting assistance by Education Commitee of that town.
Karako Dance in Okayama
In this Karako dance, two boys wearing colorful costume visit district shrine, being carried on shoulders,
.dance following small drum, flut and songs, whose words are not understandable.
There are some specialists who insist that its origin is from China, but in general, twin children dance of Korean delegation
is said to be its origin.
In Ushimado town, there is "Kaiyukan"museum, where Korean delegation and danjiri festival are always introduced.
Except the existing traditional dance introduced above, it is recognized that there used to be something called as "Toujin Dance"
in Edo, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kawagoe, Tsuchiura, Wakayama, Tottori, and Ninomiya.
Finally, we would like to insist that Tsu Toujin is the best imitation to actual Korean delegation.
Because it has the General, flags like Seidou, many parade members in its procession, which cannot be seen
in other Toujins, and moreover it's quite similar to the picture of old Korean delegations.
Recently, we are invited to join exhibition parade hosted by "Committee of Korean Delegation related places" in every November.
But unfortunately, we cannot find reliable evidence of the reason why there remains this kind of culture in Tsu,
where Korean delegation didn't actually pass. It is a remaining question for us.