Lion Dance in Haji

土師の獅子舞

The Lion Dance has been passed down from generation to generation for about 660 years. It is dedicated to the gods at festivals in April and September at Oimatsu Shrine, located in Haji, Keisen Town (which once flourished as a coal town).
This dance is said to have originated from people’s prayers for an abundant harvest and the safety of their households. It re-enacts a story in which a male and female lion leave the Tang Empire, cross the rough East China Sea, and finally arrive at Oimatsu Shrine. The dynamic and specutacular dance has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Fukuoka Precture and is deemed a highly artistic local performing art.
Before the beginning of the Lion Dance comes the “Mawariuchi”, in which children wearing white costumes, headbands, and five-colored sashes that symbolize hopes for a bountiful harvest hanging down their backs dance in a circle while beating a drum with a drumstick.

Address (Japanese)	820-0607　福岡県嘉穂郡桂川町土師3161 老松神社
Address	3161 Oimatsu Shrine, Haji, Keisen Town, Kaho County, Fukuoka
Telephone Number	0948-65-1100（桂川町役場）
Contact	Keisen Town Office
Open	Held in April and September April 10am-2:30pm September 2pm-3pm
Car Park	No parking
Access	By car - About a 15 minute drive from Honamihigashi Interchange off of the Yakiyama Bypass By train - About a 30 minute walk from JR Keisen Station on the Chikuho Main Line By bus - About a 10 minute walk from the Nishitetsu “Shimohaji” Bus stop