Majestic Tiger Dance Performed at Kinomiya Shrine in Minami-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture
MINAMI-IZU, Shizuoka — The Koina Tiger Dance, featuring performers in a giant tiger costume, was performed as a ritual offering at pre-festival celebrations on Sept. 23, the night before the annual Kinomiya Shrine festival in the Koina district of Minami-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The dance was also performed during the main festival on the evening of Sept. 24.
At the pre-festival festivities in Minami-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Koina Tiger Dance was performed on September 23, 2023. This elaborate ritual took place at Kinomiya Shrine in the Koina district of Minami-Izu, preceding the annual festival. The dance, based on Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s joruri puppet play “The Battles of Coxinga,” featured performers in a massive tiger costume.
The dance unfolded in three acts. The first two acts showcased a solitary great tiger in a state of dance, while the third act depicted a dramatic fight scene between the tiger and the young boy protagonist, Watonai. The entire performance was a testament to the dedication and skill of the performers.
To bring the tiger costume to life, two men collaborated simultaneously. One operator maneuvered the lower body while the other carried the upper body within the costume. This intricate coordination allowed the tiger to move with grace and power. To maintain the dancers' endurance, three pairs were employed, each taking turns after every act. The Koina Tiger Dance has been acknowledged as a national intangible folk cultural property, underscoring its cultural significance.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
