Kuromori Kagura: Folk Music & Dance From Tohoku October 27, 2012

Experience a centuries-old folk music and dance tradition from northern Japan that even the ferocious earthquake and tsunami of 3/11 could not destroy. Hailing from Tohoku, a region often referred to as a "treasure chest" of folk arts, the practice of "Kuromori Kagura," which represents a display of appreciation to the gods of Shintoism, can be traced back to the 17th century when it began in honor of the divine spirit of the Kuromori Shrine in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture. Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the Japanese government, the group will perform a selection of dances from their vast repertoire which includes furious jumps, brisk turns and whimsical, acrobatic moves.