The kagura dance is performed in the ocean breeze, in prayer of good fishing in the New Year/Kamakura

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201120005/

 January 12, 2012

Caption: Praying for a big catch in the New Year. The Shinto ritual, Kagura, is performed by the sea =Kamakura

On the 11th, a seaside Shinto ritual known as Kagura was performed, praying for bountiful fishing in the New Year. It took place in Zaimokuza Beach in Kamakura

On the 11th, the events began with the traditional rice cake eating custom. The area's fisherman began the ceremony, whose houses are presently decreasing as the Gosho Temple (Japanese site) expands, located in the same city as the Zaimokuza Temple.

After shrine parishioners placed Tamagushi branch offerings upon the altar, Shinto priests danced in dedication. Among the roaring of the sea, taiko drums, and flutes, red-faced Tengu performed a sword dance. A black-faced Modoki, a type of Mountain God, handed out oranges to children in a funny manner, eliciting laughs from spectators.

Original text:

潮風受けて舞う汐神楽、新しい年の豊漁を祈願/鎌倉

2012年1月12日

新しい年の豊漁を祈願する神事「汐神楽」＝鎌倉

新しい年の豊漁を祈願する神事「汐（しお）神楽」が11日、鎌倉・材木座海岸で行われた。

鏡開きの11日に行われる恒例行事。地元の漁師らが始めたが、軒数が減った現在では五所神社（同市材木座）が引き継いでいる。

氏子らが祭壇に玉串をささげた後、神職らが舞を奉納。潮騒と太鼓や笛の音の中、赤い面の天狗（てんぐ）が剣舞を披露、黒い面の山の神「毛止幾（もどき）」が滑稽なしぐさでミカンを子どもたちに手渡すなど観客の笑いを誘っていた。