Himeshima, Oita Japan

August 14 - 17

Sarumandayu

Unlike the previous dances, which had their origins founded in Himeshima, Sarumandayu, seems to have been introduced to the island. When and by whom was it brought over by is unknown, it seems to have been brought over from Shikoku or the central Japan areas.

Presently it is performed in the Nishiura Region but it has been said that in the past it was preformed in the Inazumi Region. Whether people from Inazumi went to other regions to teach the dance, or non-Inazumi residents went to Inazumi to learn it is unknown. The origin in Himeshima however, of Sarumandayu seems to have been quite likely Inazumi. One possible reason for the movement from Inazumi to Nishiura is that when a woman got married she would move to Nishiura but there is no written documentation to prove that this is the case or not.

In this all female Te-Odori, the women wear yukata, a black obi, and a rice-straw woven hat. The one beat Te-Odori resembles other Himeshima dances, but the movements, the complex choreography and the rotation of the hands make this dance very different from the other types. Although it is not a dance common to Himeshima it seems to have been received favorably by the audience. On July 5, 1975 Sarumandayu was also declared a cultural asset.

[Aya] [Kitsune] [Zeni Daiko] [Sarumandayu]