Shiraiwa Sasara traditional dance performed in Senboku City

In Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, local children and community members performed the ‘Shiraiwa Sasara’ traditional dance at Unmanji Temple. This performance, recognized as a prefectural intangible folk cultural property, serves to honor ancestors and pray for bountiful harvests.

Students from Kakunodate Elementary School participated in the ‘Kodomo Sasara’ segment, performing the ‘Renbo’ piece. The dance featured performers wearing lion heads and playing drums in synchronization with flute music, alongside a clown character known as ‘Zazzaka’ who used a percussion instrument called ‘sasara’ made of wooden slats.