In the 14^th and 15^th centuries, in the northern part of Japan’s Honshu island, the inhabitants of the Iwate prefecture venerated Mount Hyachine, which they considered a divinity. From this cult, a performance tradition has been passed on from generation to generation, the Hayachine Kagura, which since 2009 has been listed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

Much older than the Noh, the Kagura repertoire is composed of dance rituals that bring to the stage mythical divinities such as that of the Hyachine sanctuary itself (an imaginary animal that resembles a lion), drawn from ancient Japanese legends and histories of the medieval wars.

Derived from a culture known for its refinement, the choreography is highly diverse: ceremonial dances, dances of divinities, dances of female characters, of samurai, of lions. The interpreters wear masks and are accompanied by a drum, cymbals and flute. These are not professional artists but members of the local community who seek to share their cultural heritage.

With 
20 japanese artists, actors, dancers, singers and instrumentists.