Oyama Izaya Maki Dance Preservation Group

The Oyama Izaya Maki dance is said to have been handed down from the kabuki actors that travelled together with Castle Lord Oura of the Muto Clan when he was moved from Oumi (Shiga) to Dewa (Yamagata), about 500 years ago. In the past it was danced before going off to battle but, nowadays, the dance is used as a form of celebration for festivals or occasions to show respect the aged, and is handed down as a local treasure. “Kids’ Hana no Kai”, for children from elementary school age and older, practice the dance once a week. The preservation group hopes that more children will join the practice in order to pass on this traditional performing art.