Brave Lion Dance of Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Region

“Shishimai (Lion Dance)” is a folk dance that has been passed down throughout Japan in various forms. In Japan, lions were traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits. It is characterized by a large-bodied lion and its counterpart (tengu, 天狗) dancing bravely to the accompaniment of drums, flutes, and gongs and encouraging exclamations. Originally originating in India, the lion dance was imported to China and then to Korea and Japan. It can therefore be said to be one of the cultures shared across Asia. The performance was organized through a friendship-exchange agreement between the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and Ishikawa Prefecture. Park Wonmo, Head of the Research and Information Unit at International International Information and Networking Centre for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region, provides commentary on the performance to help visitors’ better understand Japanese folk culture.