A public performance of the Hakuryū's intense dance: the final stages of training/Atsugi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203180031/

March 19, 2012

Training and review of the basic movements for the Hakuryū (white dragon) dance.

The final stages of training are being met for the Hakuryū dance performance, at the Atsugi Iiyama Cherry Tree Festival of Iiyama, Atsugi City.

Taking on the training is Kojima Fuji, president of the Iiyama Hakuryū Dance Preservation Group. On the 14th, using a parking lot and relying on the headlights of cars, they went over the basic movements such as sideways waving  and concealing/coiling of the trunk.

During the Iiyama area's Edo period, the dance was performed as a Shinto ritual to summon rain. According to legend, the Hakuryū appearing dancing in the sky, causing rain to fall. From 2002, the group has been creating Hakuryū and performing dances. One of their methods: As the performance's leader ages, he graduates from controlling the dragon's head to taking over the lighter tail portion.

President Kojima commented with enthusiasm "Just now (with this group), we've reached the level of energy we've been wanting to see." The Hakuryū dance performances are to take place on the 31st and April 8th.


Original text:
「白龍」激しい舞を、本番へ稽古追い込み/厚木
2012年3月19日

基本の動きを確認した「白龍の舞」の稽古

「あつぎ飯山桜まつり」（厚木市飯山）で披露される「白龍の舞」の稽古が、追い込みを迎えている。

練習に取り組むのは、「飯山白龍の舞保存会」（小島富司会長）のメンバー。14日には駐車場で、車のヘッドライトの明かりを頼りに、横に振る動作や胴くぐりやとぐろを巻くなどの基本の動きを確認した。

飯山地区には江戸時代に雨乞いの神事を行い、白龍が天空に舞い、雨が降ったといういい伝えがある。保存会は２００２年から、白龍を作り、踊りを披露。一方で、担い手が高齢化し、龍の頭と尻尾を軽量化する作業も進められている。

小島会長は「今までよりも激しい舞をお見せしたい」と意気込む。白龍の舞は31日、４月８日に披露される。