 Most viewed - Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance 白鷺の舞 |
I also saw the White Heron Dance in April 2010. It was slightly different. My YouTube video of the White Heron Dance in April 2010.341 views
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White Heron dancers were silent and sang nothing as the musicians played.236 views
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Shirasagi-no-Mai dancer at Asakusa.233 views
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Their costume is quite elegant whichever way you look at it. Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance, Asakusa.223 views
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The Shirasagi-no-Mai white heron dancers pass through Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa.218 views
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White Heron Dance, Asakusa197 views
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Clearing the way down Nakamise. On the way back, they turned right into another temple and did not go all the way down Nakamise. 196 views
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White Heron Dance, Asakusa186 views
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Information on the date/time when the dance is held is posted at e-asakusa.jp. Note that the time may vary. Last year they started at 3:30 pm instead of 2:30 pm this year.174 views
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The Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance is performed in Asakusa on the second Sunday of April and on Nov. 3. On April 11, 2010, I found them on the main road at around 2 pm. The mans holds a banner reading "Shirasagi-no-Mai."140 views
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This is on the main road in front of Kaminarimon Gate (giant red paper lantern). The procession occupied one lane of road as they headed for Kaminarimon Gate.135 views
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The shirasagi white heron dancers. There are eight of them. They were to perform the dance at 2:30 pm in front of Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon) temple.134 views
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White Heron Dance (Shirasagi-no-Mai) was performed three times in Asakusa on April 13, 2014. Their second performance was held here on the roof of Matsuya Dept. Store at 2:30 pm.132 views
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The baton twirler does his thing as the crowd gathers around.120 views
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Shirasagi dancers along Nakamise after passing through Hozomon Gate.118 views
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The Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance is performed in Asakusa on the second Sunday of April, mid-May for the Sanja Matsuri, and on Nov. 3.117 views
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The bird feeder (esa-maki 餌まき) holds a nice box containing pieces of colored paper.116 views
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Shirasagi-no-Mai White Heron Dance at Asakusa.116 views
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Shirasagi dancers proceeding back to Nakamise.116 views
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If you look at their white heron costume, you can see that it's quite ingenius, the way it functions and the way it looks.115 views
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There are various characters in the White Heron Dance contingent. This is the baton twirler (bo-furi 棒ふり) in orange pants followed by the bird feeder.114 views
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Close-up of the heron head.114 views
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The procession, headed by chigo children, pass through Kaminarimon Gate.113 views
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113 views
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White heron dancer on a mural at Asakusa Station.113 views
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The contingent pass through Hozomon Gate which is right in front of Sensoji temple.111 views
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I'm not sure how they keep the tall bird head and neck on their heads.110 views
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Another shirasagi shadow.110 views
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Fingers fastened to the wings control the wings.110 views
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The local Asakusa tourist association resurrected the dance in 1968. A picture scroll showed that it was performed in 1652 at Sensoji.110 views
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110 views
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This is the umbrella holder (ogasa 大傘). He doesn't really shade anyone.108 views
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For their third and last performance at 3:30 pm on April 13, 2014, they they walked/danced through the Nakamise mall leading to Sensoji temple in Asakusa. The man is the baton twirler, followed by the bird feeder and the dancers.107 views
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The dancers leave Sensoji.107 views
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There are also three warriors who never did anything. 武人106 views
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Shirasagi dancers spreading their wings.106 views
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Bird feeder on the left sprinkled some colorful pieces of paper as bird feed. They dance to music played by 19 musicians.106 views
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There are eight white heron dancers. The dance originated at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto about 1,000 years ago to ward off epidemics and pray for good harvests.106 views
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Musicians float. They are playing music all the while.105 views
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At around 2:30 pm, they started dancing.105 views
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Bird feeder and umbrella holder. 餌まき,104 views
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These guardian children lead the way. They come from Sensoji Kindergarten. 守護童子104 views
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The bird feeder sprinkles more food for the birds.103 views
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Be sure to see my video of the White Heron Dance held on April 13, 2014.103 views
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103 views
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The bird feeder then sprinkled small pieces of colored paper above the white heron dancers.102 views
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During a brief break, people gawk at the dancers. This was when I talked to one of them.102 views
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Toward the end of the procession is a group of musicians, 19 of them (楽人). Some of them walk while the others ride a float.101 views
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It looks like they are feeding.101 views
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These guardian children headed the procession. They come from Sensoji Kindergarten. 守護童子101 views
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Once in a while, the shirasagi dancers spread their wings and do a few dance steps along the narrow Nakamise shopping arcade.100 views
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Immediately, I noticed the great shadows the dancers were casting. Proof of how good the costumes are made and how well they are posed.100 views
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The dance started with the baton twirler running around the dancers.100 views
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Tourist posing with a dancer after the dance.100 views
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They walked to the area in front of the 5-story pagoda. 99 views
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At the end of the dance, they bowed.99 views
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This is what the "bird feed" was. Colored pieces of paper with the kanji characters for "good fortune" and "long life." No wonder people were rushing to pick these up. Well, I guess I'll live a long and prosperous life..99 views
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A gasp of amazement from spectators could be heard when the dancers spread their wings.99 views
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White heron dance in front of Sensoji temple. 99 views
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A short break after the dance.99 views
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White herons are a common sight in Japan. They do like to feed on rice fields.99 views
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The white heron dancers bow before Sensoji temple before leaving.99 views
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They head toward Sensoji temple as the crowd make way for them along Nakamise.98 views
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I was told that they practice the dance only a few days before the performance. Apparently, it's not that difficult to master. It also seems that different dancers do it each time.98 views
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So elegant.98 views
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97 views
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Tourists make way for the white heron dancers along Nakamise mall in Asakusa.97 views
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The shirasagi dancers then spread their wings and started to dance.96 views
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96 views
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96 views
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The White Heron Dance originated in Kyoto over 1,100 years ago to purge the city of an epidemic.95 views
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Most of the dancers seemed to be high school age, although I noticed a few older women as well.95 views
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Then there was a rush of people to pick up the "bird feed" which were small colored pieces of paper. I didn't know what was going on, but I rushed in too and grabbed two of the pieces of paper.95 views
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Each shirasagi dancer bowed to Sensoji (being renovated) before heading back to Nakamise.95 views
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Passing under Hozomon Gate in front of Sensoji temple. Gotta watch their head.95 views
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95 views
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The eight shirasagi dancers formed two groups of four with the umbrella holder between the two groups.94 views
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I guess the birds are happy with full stomachs.92 views
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Looks like the bird feeder still had something left in her food box.91 views
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After the dance, they proceeded back to where they came from.90 views
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