Join “a mythical world of gods and demons: Iwami Kagura passed down in Iwami Region of Shimane Prefecture in Japan.”
Time & Date: 14:00 – 15:50 on Saturday, November 1, 2025
Place: Sekiou Bunka Hall, Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Admission: Free for non-Japanese and Japanese accompanying non-Japanese
Program
Lecture: “Why Is Iwami Kagura Still Thriving Today? Exploring Factors of Survival of the Traditional Performing Art” delivered by Professor Mariko Eguchi
Show: Orochi, Eight-Headed Giant Serpent performed by Dancing Princess Shachu, the only Female-Only Iwami Kagura Company
Orochi Experience Workshop: Ten non-Japanese are eligible to experience becoming Orochi Dancing Princess Shachu members will show how to form tricks.
Subtitles and Interpretation in English, Portuguese, Vietnamese and French available.
Venue: Sekiou Bunka Hall
Story of Orochi, Eight-Headed Giant Serpent
Maihime Shachu, Dancing Princess Shachu
Susano, Deity of Storm who was excommunicated due to his wrong deeds, returns to Japan and finds a lamenting couple. The couple weep over the fate of their only remaining daughter, Princess Rice, who is about to be eaten by Orochi, eight-headed giant serpent. Orochi has eight heads and eight tails, streching over eight valleys and hills, whose belly is red with blood.
Susano brews strong sake to lure Orochi and had them drink sake. Orochi gulps sake sticking its heads into the barrel. The feast turns wild, hitting each other as if having a drinking contest.
Susano slays Orochi into pieces and saves Princess Rice. He finds a sharp sword, which is now one of the three treasures of the Imperial Family of Japan.
Dancing Princess Shachu is the only female-only kagura company that was established in 2021. Iwami kagura have been mainly performed by men but these women are committed to keep the traditions of Iwami kagura alive.
What is Iwami Kagura?
Iwami kagura is the Shinto ritual dance practiced in the Iwami Region, which is the old name of the western part of current Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Shimane Prefecture was formed in late 19th century after the collapse of the Samurai rule that lasted 300 years. People still use the term “Iwami” to refer the western part of Shimane. The western part of Shimane Prefecture is called “Izumo.”
Iwami kagura is known for its emphasis on entertainment. Kagura is widely practiced across Japan, so the styles vary, but it is fair to say that most kagura styles across Japan are less as dynamic as Iwami kagura. Iwami kagura employs techniques to attract the attention of audience by using dynamic moves, sparkling costumes, grotesque masks, and faster rhythm of music.