Introduction video of Sado island, Niigata, Japan forcused on “Oni” which mean Shinto Deities in the island.
In Sado island, there is a culture called “Ondeko” which is a kind of traditional dancce performance with “taiko”, Japanese drum by “Oni”.
【Official Tourism Website of Niigata Prefecture】
Niigata Prefecture aims at making “Sado Gold and Silver Mine” register to world heritage.
Ondeko is a quintessentially Sado traditional performing art. It is offered on many occasions, rituals and festivals in Sado, to pray for the year’s good harvest or catch, and the well-being of families. Around 120 villages on Sado have their own Ondeko groups. Ondeko is roughly divided into five styles: mamemaki (bean throwing) style, issoku (single foot) style, Maehama style, hanagasa (straw hat decorated with flowers) style, and Katagami style. Each village has its own, original arrangement of Ondeko. Sadokoku Ondeko Dot-com is held every May in the Ryotsu area, showcasing a wide variety of Ondeko from different areas.
Bean-Throwing Style
An older man, clad in the ancient formal court robes of the samurai, and donning a formal eboshi-style hat, holds a square, wooden measuring cup, and dances to the rhythm of a taiko drum, while swinging the deep sleeves of his robe.
Issoku Style
Issoku Style is an original format from the Edo Period (the 17-19 centuries), that is called “Ondeko” in Aikawa. People dance to the rhythm of taiko drumming, as if hopping on one foot.
Maehama Style
Two Oni, Shinto Deities dance to the music of a flute and taiko drum. Some villages have the role of a “roso”, too, who acts as a guide for the Oni, Shinto Deities, and delivers spoken messages to each house that gives the dancers an offering.
Hanagasa Style
This style of Ondeko is performed as part of the Hanagasa Odori (a dance with straw hats decorated with flowers). One Oni, Shinto Deities performs a graceful dance. Locals call it “Onimai” or “Oni-no-Mai” (the Oni, Shinto Deities dance).
Katagami Style
An A-Un (mouth open, mouth shut) pair of Oni, Shinto Deities dance in turn. In some villages shishimai (the lion dance) is incorporated into the dance of the Oni, Shinto Deities. This is the most common style of Ondeko in Sado.
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AloJapan.com