Collection (ii) :
鬼剣舞 / Onikenbai
Onikenbai is a dance and music tradition originating in Kitakami, Iwasaki, Iwate-prefecture, Japan. I have been a student of this dance for 14 years and practise regularly with the Sydney Iwasaki-den Onikenbai Club under the guidance of our teachers of Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai. The name of the dance refers to the katana swords and masks worn and danced with, which give a powerful character that is beautifully countered by the swift movements of the ‘ōgi’ paper fan. It is traditionally danced to push bad spirits into the ground, a force which can be observed in the often weighty, earth-bound nature of movements. The following photo series was taken in the Summer of 2020.
