[Held on Sunday, May 24] 30th Bitchu Kagura Appreciation Event, Kurashiki Performance 〜 An Appreciation Event Where You Can Also Enjoy a Collaboration with Iwami Kagura at Geibunkan

Have you ever seen Bitchu Kagura?

Bitchu Kagura is said to have originated from “Kojin Kagura,” which was performed by Shinto priests as an offering before the gods during the Muromachi period, more than 500 years ago. It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1979.

It may seem that Bitchu Kagura is more popular around Takahashi City, Ibara City, and Yakage Town, but in fact, there is a group that performs it in Kurashiki City.

We introduce the “30th Bitchu Kagura Appreciation Gathering, Kurashiki Performance,” hosted by the Bitchu Kagura Kurashiki-sha of the Bitchu Kagura Preservation and Promotion Association, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (2026).

What is the Bitchu Kagura Appreciation Gathering (Kurashiki Performance)?

The Bitchu Kagura Appreciation Gathering (Kurashiki Performance) is an event where visitors can enjoy Bitchu Kagura, held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Hall of Geibunkan Hall.

Although it has been canceled in some years as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is generally held every year and will be held for the 30th time in 2026.

This year, “Iwami Kagura,” passed down in the Iwami region of western Shimane Prefecture, which, like Bitchu Kagura, is designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, is also scheduled to be performed.

Interview with the Bitchu Kagura Kurashiki-sha of the Bitchu Kagura Preservation and Promotion Association

We spoke with Shiraga Toshiaki, vice-chairman of the Bitchu Kagura Kurashiki-sha of the Bitchu Kagura Preservation and Promotion Association, which hosts the gathering.

Could you tell us how the Bitchu Kagura Appreciation Gathering came about?

Shiraga (honorific omitted)

It began when the Bitchu Kagura Preservation and Promotion Association was established in 1995.
There were originally many people involved in Bitchu Kagura in places such as Takahashi City, Ibara City, and Yakage Town, but more and more people moved to the Okayama City and Kurashiki City areas for work and other reasons.

However, kagura was not performed very often in Okayama or Kurashiki at the time, so the association was formed because we wanted people living in those areas to see and learn about kagura.

Since then, performances have been held in Okayama and Kurashiki, and this Kurashiki performance marks the 30th anniversary.

What are the highlights or points to look forward to this time?

Shiraga

To mark the 30th performance, we have invited a group that performs Iwami Kagura from Shimane Prefecture for a collaborative performance.

Iwami Kagura is known for its very flamboyant costumes and performances, and for being powerful and impressive. By contrast, the Bitchu Kagura we perform has strong theatrical elements and incorporates comedy, including manzai-style humor based on current events, making it a performance with plenty of variety.

We hope you will enjoy comparing the differences between these two forms of kagura.

For first-time viewers, we also recommend looking out for the “seeds of good fortune” scene, in which Daikoku-sama throws sweets and rice cakes into the audience, the intense battle scenes, and the spectacular slaying of the orochi serpent. These will let you fully experience the fun and excitement of kagura.

Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

Shiraga

Geibunkan Hall, the venue, is right next to the Bikan Historical Area, so I hope you’ll spend a fulfilling day by strolling around the Bikan Historical Area in the morning and enjoying kagura at your leisure in the afternoon.

Recently, more and more people have been saying they are seeing Bitchu Kagura for the first time, inspired by material from the comedy duo Tokyo Hoteison.

However, the reality is that the number of people who perform kagura is declining due to the aging population. We hope that younger generations will come and see it, learn about it, and that even a few more people will think, “I’d like to try performing kagura,” and join us in supporting it.

Please take this opportunity to experience firsthand the appeal of Bitchu Kagura, a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a treasure of Okayama Prefecture.

From the Writer

When I was a child, I saw Bitchu Kagura several times at a relative’s home in Yakage.
However, despite “Bitchu” being part of its name, I had never seen it in Kurashiki, and it was only through this interview that I learned the appreciation gathering had been held for nearly 30 years.

This is a rare opportunity to see Bitchu Kagura up close.
Why not visit Geibunkan Hall on May 24?

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