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The lion dance is a form of entertainment that spread
throughout Okinawa in days long gone, although it is believed to
have originated in China. It is performed at such events as harvest
festivals or during Obon, which occurs anywhere from June to August
according to the lunar calendar. It is believed in Okinawa that
the lion dance can protect against calamity and exorcise evil spirits
based on an Okinawan folk religion in which the lion is worshipped
as a reijuu (spiritual beast). At the harvest festival, a good harvest
is celebrated, while at the same time the development of the community
and the prosperity of future generations are prayed for. The lion
dance is performed by a single lion on Okinawa's main and surrounding
islands, and by a female and male pair in the Miyako and Yaeyama
areas. No matter where the dance is done, the two young men in the
lion costume exhibit brave, realistic and fine performances. The
lion is tempted to show itself by the sounds of a gong, drum and
whistle, or is enticed by a conch horn, and thus the unique performance
of the lion begins. |
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