An old man dances to prepare the fields for an abundant harvest. A Shinto event at Samukawa Temple. February 18, 2012

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202180003/

At Samukawa Temple, a Shinto dance is performed to prepare the fields for harvest =Miyayamai, Samukuwa Town

To prepare for the coming season of traditional farm work, a request for a rich harvest in 2012 was sent out with a Shinto dance. It was held on the 17th at the Samukawa Temple of Miyayamai, Samukawa Town.

The shrine's association of locally born parishioners (about 160 in total) watched over the event. As a dancer wearing an okina mask performed onstage, members of the temple beat taiko drums, sang a kagura in unison, scattered offerings of rice husks on the stage and wove mulberry leaves up and down, all in the request of an abundant harvest and prosperous business.

While the types of rice husks scattered on stage are locally grown, divided from farms within the city, it's customary to also offer other types of husks.

Original text:

翁が舞い願う豊作、寒川神社で田打舞神事/寒川

2012年2月18日

寒川神社で行われた田打舞神事＝寒川町宮山

本格的な農作業の季節を前に、今年の豊作を願う田打舞（たうちまい）神事が17日、寒川町宮山の寒川神社で行われた。

同神社の氏子、地元の生産組合員ら計約１６０人が見守るなか、翁（おきな）の面を着けた神職らが太鼓に合わせてくわを振り下ろしたり、神楽歌に合わせたりして舞台一面に籾（もみ）種をまく舞を奉納し、五穀豊年や産業の繁栄を祈願した。

神事でまかれた籾種は同町内各農家へ分けられ、ほかの種といっしょに栽培される習わしとなっている。