Japan Hanamaki Festival Kagura Gongen-mai

Yamabushi are practitioners of *Shugendo*—a tradition born from the fusion of ancient mountain worship and Buddhism—who sought to save the common people by acquiring mystical powers through communion with the harsh natural environment. "Kagura Gongen-mai" is a type of ritual dance known as "Yamabushi Kagura," which was spread to various regions by Yamabushi and is performed as an offering at local shrines. A distinctive feature of this dance is a technique called *ha-uchi* (teeth-clacking), in which the golden teeth of the *Gongen* mask are struck together to create a rhythmic sound. The dance is performed by a group to the accompaniment of traditional *hayashi* music, featuring flutes, drums, and hand-clapping.