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Enjoy Hiroshima's traditional art form, Kagura, in the middle of Hiroshima City

You are lucky if you are in Hiroshima on Wednesday night.

It is because you can see Kagura, one of Hiroshima's representative Traditional Performing Arts, in the downtown area of Hiroshima City.

But what is Kagura then? Click here (Kagura Monzen Touji Village)


Originally, Kagura was performed at local shrines after rice planting or harvesting, but now it is performed once a week on Wednesday nights in the center of Hiroshima City so that people who come from all over the world can see this enjoyable traditional performance.


Hiroshima Kagura, like a play, is made up of a story.

For example, in the play "Yamata no Orochi," which is known by most people in Hiroshima, the god Susanoo-no-mikoto defeats a giant snake and saves an elderly couple whose daughters are swallowed by the snake every year.

©Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Culture Center

Even if you don't understand the words, you will be able to recognize the gods, demons, samurai, etc. by the facial expressions on the masks, and that will help you understand the story.

©Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Culture Center

Before each performance, a summary of the story is handed out in English so that everyone can understand and enjoy the story.

You can also check it here.

The lively rhythm, the climax of the dance and its power of the music, the dazzling costumes, and the quick mask that is changed before you know it; these are the works done by non-professionals.

In many areas of Hiroshima, volunteers have formed Kagura troupes and are practicing daily, and they perform in Hiroshima City on even weeknights for many people to see.

Video recording is not allowed, but you can take pictures of them.
Take some Instagrammable pics and please share them on the SNS!


How to buy tickets

Please refer to here.


Venue

Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Culture Center

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