令和7年9月22日・伊勢神宮(内宮)・神楽祭・振鉾 (えんぶ)の舞・”Enbu” Dance at 2025 Autumn Kagura Festival, Ise Grand Shrine

令和7年9月22日・伊勢神宮(内宮)・神楽祭・振鉾 (えんぶ)の舞・”Enbu” Dance at 2025 Autumn Kagura Festival, Ise Grand Shrine

We have come to the Ise Grand Shrine (Naikū) to watch the three dance performances in the “Autumn Kagura Festival”. Today is the first day of this 3-day festival, held annually here in the Inner Shrine (Naikū) Gardens (Jingū Shin-en) The term “Kagura” is a contraction of “kami no kura” (“seat of god”), which signifies the presence of ‘kami’ (gods). “Kagura”, which comes in various styles, is a form of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance, performed to worship the kami. The first dance performance in today’s kagura festival is called “Enbu”. It is an example of “Bugaku” dance. “Bugaku” is a form of dance with a musical accompaniment. Its origins lie in China and the Korean peninsula. The “Enbu” dance is performed by two halberd-wielding dancers, with one dancer on the left, and one on the right. This distinction between dancers of the Left and the Right symbolizes the distinction between the Left and Right Divisions of Inner Palace Guards (who were known, respectively, as “Sakonoefu” and “Ukonoefu”). This left-right distinction is one of the fundamental characteristics of Bugaku performances. The origins of ‘Enbu’ lie in an ancient Chinese story, and it is a celebratory dance. The dancers swing their halberds to calm the heavens and earth, and celebrate peace throughout the world. Since the halberd is used to sweep the heavens and earth, it is also said to purify the stage.

令和7年9月22日・内宮神苑で「秋の神楽祭」が行われました。この動画では舞楽にあたり初めに奏された「振鉾」をご覧いただけます。

This video shows the “Enbu” Dance, performed at the 2025 Autumn Kagura Festival at Ise Grand Shrine (Naiku). This three-day event features various performances of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance accompanied by music. In the “Enbu” dance, two dancers each swing a spear to calm the heavens and earth, and celebrate peace throughout the world. This dance is also performed to purify the stage.

#japaneseculture #伊勢神宮 #神楽