花巻温泉の郷土芸能~鹿踊り(ししおどり)~
【鹿踊り(ししおどり)】今から千年余の昔、京都東山六波羅密寺の開祖空也上人が、天暦5年(西暦951年)9月16日鞍馬山で修行中、愛する鹿が一頭、猟師に射殺されたのを悼み、之を貰い受け、村人と共に供養したのが始まりと伝えられている。一説に、神出鬼没の鹿との出合いに想像を働かせた古代人が、神に通じる素朴な手段として神秘的な鹿になりきることにより、超自然的な力が現れると信じ、演じたものともいわれています。頭(かしら)を振る鹿踊のなり振りに、悪霊をはらい村の平安を祈願した祖先の魂が浸透しています。頭には角頭いかめしく、太鼓のリズムに一糸乱れぬ群舞は、郷土古典芸術として貴重な文化遺産です。Shishi Odori (Deer Dance)The Shishi Odori has it's roots dating over one thousand years ago with Kuya (founder of Rokuharamitsu Temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district). At the time, he was residing on Mt.Kurama and pursuing his Buddhist studies. On Sept.16,951, Kuya, who was very fond of the deer that would often frolic around his home, was devastated upon finding a young deer who had been slain by the hand of a hunter. In respect for the fallen deer, he, along with the village residents, began a dance to pay tribute to the innocent creature.A second version has it that the ancients would be given mystical powers upon witnessing mysterious deer that would appear at unexpected moments. The ancients believed that by mimicking the movements of the deer through dance that they would be able to communicate with the Gods and themselves be granted supernatural powers.The Shishi Odori costume, with it's waving headdress and imposing antlers, is said to carry the souls of ancestors who rid the village of evil spirits and pray for tranquility. The dancers move in perfect formation, each step in rhythm with the accompanying beat of the drums. The Shishi Odori is an ancient folk art which also represents a valued cultural legacy.花巻温泉では披露宴や、宴会の余興や、修学旅行生が郷土芸能に触れる機会などでこの“鹿踊り”が披露されます!!