Japanese dengaku celebrations can be categorized into two types: dengaku which originated as a musical accompaniment to rice planting ceremonies, as well as dengaku dancing which developed simultaneously with dengaku.
This is a type of Japanese folk performing art that has deep ties to Kumano Sanzan, a sacred site in Nachisanku.
Daengaku was closely tied with Shinto, the native Japanese religion. The ritualistic aspects of the Shinto religion were incorporated into sarugaku to form Noh theatre. Dengaku was originally a form of rural entertainment associated with fieldwork. The Heian Period saw numerous social, economic, political, and cultural movements that shaped the development of dengaku. By the latter half of the period, two types of dengaku had developed.
Traditionally, villagers celebrated dengaku either on New Year's or during planting season early in the summer. The dances were not brought to the cities until the 14th century, when they were incorporated into the Noh theater, notably by the playwright Kan'ami. The most well-known instrument of dengaku is the sasara, a wooden percussion instrument with a clapper. Other instruments are also used.
One of the key components of the annual Nachi Fire Festival is the performance of Nachi no Dengaku, a ritual dance to flute music and drums. It occurs on stage inside Kumano Nachi Shrine during the festival of the same name and takes the form of eight to ten performers dancing to music.
The Festival celebrations take place on July 14, when a flute player performs Nachi no Dengaku, four drummers with drums tied around their waists, and four Binzasara players. The dance is performed in 22 repertoires in 45 minutes.
There were two elements to the entertainment of field labor: the increasing dominance of the entertainment aspect and the growing interest by local nobles. In order to "dominate rural areas, increase crops, and therefore boost tax income" from the countryside, the nobility desired to dominate rural areas, increase crops, and increase tax income. As of today, dengaku became increasingly popular and capable of attracting large audiences, and temples and shrines in the Kyoto area began including it in sacred rites and services.
Currently, Nachi Dengaku is performed and transmitted by the Association for the Preservation of Nachi Dengaku, and it is distributed by local residents of Nachisanku, who believe in Kumano Sanzan and its shrine. The local residents' respect and worship Kumano Sanzan as a source of spiritual comfort and protection.
References
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengaku#Carnival_aspect) (https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nachi-no-dengaku-a-religious-performing-art-held-at-the-nachi-fire-festival-00413) |Subject=Belief, dance, Entertainment and Recreation, Music, Ritual |Country=Japan |SDG=(08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production }}