Kagura and Gagaku Performances at Musashi Mitake-jinja Shrine 武蔵御嶽神社 神楽と雅楽の一般公開

Note: The 2023 installment of this event has already taken place.

Daidai Kagura, a traditional performance of music and dance, was introduced to Musashi Mitake-jinja Shrine twice during the Edo period, in 1749 and 1780. It has been passed down through the generations ever since.

There are two types of Daidai Kagura: sumen-kagura (in which the dancers are maskless) and men-kagura (in which the dancers wear masks). These aren't mere dances; they are rites performed before the Shinto deities, and they are considered to be an extremely formal method of worship.

Both varieties have been handed down by 31 generations of Musashi Mitake-jinja Shrine priests and their families. Through the long course of their inheritance, they have gradually evolved into unique forms. In 1957, Daidai Kagura became an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo.

Public performances of kagura and gagaku offer a special chance to view music and dance that is ordinarily presented only before the deities of Shinto. You can enjoy the show either by day, under the brilliant sun, or at night, under moonlight.