Onidaiko (Traditional Drum Dance) Experience on Sado Island

NIIGATA CULTURE

Onidaiko (Traditional Drum Dance) Experience on Sado Island_2

Onidaiko (Traditional Drum Dance) Experience on Sado Island_3

Onidaiko (Traditional Drum Dance) Experience on Sado Island_4

Why not try your hand at the traditional artform of Onidaiko dancing and drumming in Sado?
The Onidaiko art form, a traditional art form performed at festivals throughout Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, features dancers dressed in Oni demon and Shishi lion costumes dancing to the rhythms of drums to pray for a good harvest and dispel evil spirits. There are approximately 120 Onidaiko organizations throughout the island, each with a unique take on the art form that they have passed down through generations.

This interactive plan offers a chance to learn the appeals of Onidaiko through video and lectures, and then become a demon yourself as you dance and strike the drums. There is a commemorative photo session at the end, and it should be noted that this is a beginner’s plan appropriate for first time participants.
* This plan does not include a viewing of a performance of an actual Onidaiko group from a local village. It only includes the workshop.