基本情報
| Information | Suko Dance consists of 1 drum dancer and 8 Kaki dancers in Edo Period, which became 10 in 1974. The dancer is a boy, and the others are adults. The accompanists are 9 drums, 9 flutes, 3 singers. When they parade, 1 guide, 2 banners, and 2 umbrellas are added.
When they dance, the drum dancer stands in the center, Kaki dancers line both sides, and the drum dancer dance and play the drum. The flute accompanies from the halfway, the dance getting fast, and the Kaki dancers make a circle surrounding the drum dancer. The dance represents the joy of the lord's safe return. The drum dancer is the lord, hiding his face with the crescent. Kaki dancers are the vassals. They dance as if they are protecting the lord, and it is sometimes called "Tonosama Odori" (The dance for the lord). The dance itself is simple but very elegant, and it was usually danced first among the other dances at the castle. The lyrics for the dance has the flavor of ancientness of the end of Muromachi Period, starting with the celebrating Kaki Dance Song, followerd by the Dengaku-style Haya Dance Song. The drum is also played in an old-fashioned way. The whole dance set hands down the medieval performing arts rare in the prefecture. The outfits of the dancers became brighter; long-sleeved kimono with small pine tree pattern in gray cotton fabric for Kaki dancers, and the Japanese brocade trousers for drum dancers. A part of the lyrics: Celebrate the lord Celebrate the lord Through all ages, the land get stronger The reign will continue forever |
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| Note | Intangible Cultural Properties of the prefecture:
Designated on March 31, Showa 53 (1978) Selected Date: on December 12, Showa 55 (1980) Suko Machi, Omura City Suko Dance Preservation Association |
