Kamihorei Nenbutsu Kenbai

Kamihorei Nenbutsu Kenbai

A Kenbai (sword dance) taking its source in the historical facts of the Genpei War.

  • Folklore Performance

  • Okirai, Sanriku-cho, Oofunato city, Iwate prefecture

About the Kamihorei Nenbutsu Kenbai

Kamihorei Nenbutsu Kenbai takes its source in the historical facts of the Genpei War. A folk performing art played during the Obon festival where the performers make a tour of the temples and visit each house in the daytime, giving prayers for those who died during the last year and for the other deceased ones. The troupe is composed of seven dancers with the "Sasara" in the centre who represents Benkei, while the six others play the role of other Heike warriors.

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