Traditional Shilla Gut 'Kuro San Shilla Gut' of Miyako Region, Japan - Efforts of the Preservation Society to Continue Old Customs

In Iwate Prefecture's Miyako City, located in the northeastern region of Japan, where volcanic disasters frequently occur, a traditional ceremony called 'Kuromori Kagura' (くろもりかぐら) has been passed down for generations, praying for the safety and prosperity of the town. This Kuromori Kagura is a traditional performing art with a long history, said to have originated around the mid-15th century, approximately 700 years ago.

Kuromori Kagura originates from the Kuromori Shrine in the Yamaguchi area of Miyako City and is a traveling ceremony that tours neighboring towns. Each town along the route has a 'Kagura House' that guides the Kagura troupe and hosts the ceremony, providing them with lodging and meals. As Kagura is a ritual that prays for the safety and prosperity of the village, the villagers enthusiastically welcome it with fervent faith.

While a traditional ceremony, Kuromori Kagura includes not only simple prayers but also various dance routines and stories originating from historical facts. Representative performances include 'Ebisumai' (えびすまい), which prays for a bountiful harvest, and 'Yamata no Orochi Taiji' (やまたのおろちたいじ), which wards off evil spirits. During the tour, they perform from dawn until they reach their next destination, diligently carrying out the ceremony in each town.

However, due to modernization and an aging population, it faced the threat of discontinuation in the 1970s. With young people leaving the villages and a shortage of Kagura troupe members, the tour was suspended for six years at that time. In response, in 1983, local leaders in the Kuromori area formed the 'Kuromori Kagura Preservation Society' and dedicated themselves to preserving the tradition.

Thanks to the Preservation Society's efforts, Kuromori Kagura was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1987, and it continues to be performed regularly in various towns within Iwate Prefecture. Every year, around the New Year in January, they hold a Shinnen-oroshi (New Year's descent of gods) ceremony at the Kuromori Shrine, followed by a tour that alternates between the northern and southern villages for a month or two.

The Preservation Society continues to strive for the succession of the tradition, mainly by the older generation of Kagura troupe members, to younger generations. Kagura troupe members born in the 70s and 80s are working hard to nurture the next generation, but there are still no Kagura troupe members in their 40s. To address the labor shortage, the Preservation Society is focusing on fostering successors by holding events such as Kagura experience workshops for young people in the region.

Fortunately, during the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Kagura ritual and all its instruments were unharmed. Since then, the Preservation Society has continued to conduct memorial services for the victims of the disaster in a traditional manner, safeguarding tradition while also adapting to the changing times.

A Preservation Society official stated, "Kuromori Kagura is a traditional culture that has been passed down through the faith and efforts of the villagers over many years. It's not just a performance but is closely related to the village community, and it's something we must continue to pass on." We hope that Kuromori Kagura will continue to be performed in the Iwate region for many years to come with the continued support of the local residents.