The Tour Guide Division of Kirakukai
Kirakukai is a local volunteer group, of mainly people in their 30’s, which has the intention of spontaneously making Kesennuma fun and actively enjoying the Kesennuma that exists now.
With March 11th as a turning point, Kesennuma, the town we live in, changed dramatically. The after-effects from the natural disasters were so great, and so a long process is necessary to bring back vitality to our town. For that reason we want to make connections with many people and walk forward together. To do so, the best thing is to meet with people face to face. If we can communicate with each other and this becomes a place that will welcome anyone at anytime, then it should definitely go on to become an additional hometown.
Kosa Bakadomari Shichifukujin Mai
(The Dance of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, in the Kosa Bakadomari style)
The Shichifukujin Mai (Dance of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune) has been invited to and danced at auspicious events since a long time ago. This is a Shichifukujin that has been danced since 1948 by the women, the wives who were left to care for the household while their husbands were out to sea. The gods dance one after another to the musical accompaniment of singers and the playing of gongs, flutes, and drums. Daikokuten (The God of Wealth) wishes for peace for all ages, the prosperity of their offspring, and a year of abundant harvest. Ebisu (The God of Fishing and Commerce) prays for a large catch of fish. Fukurokuju (The Tall-headed God of Happiness, Wealth, and Long Life) for harmony in the household, Bishamonten (The Guardian God of Buddhism) wards off back luck in all directions, Jurojin (The God of Longevity) and Futei (The Pot-Bellied God of Good Fortune) together for longevity, Benzaiten (The God of Wealth, Music, Eloquence, and Water) wishes for sound health, and each God performs their personal special skill.
Hamajinku
The Hamajinku is one song for a large catch of fish sung in the town of Karakuwa, it is a folk song to pray for or celebrate a large catch of fish, and it is often sung at festivals.
It is said that the Hamajinku has been sung as entertainment to get everyone excited, when fishermen have banquets on land, rather than at sea.
The impressions and aspects of the lifestyles of fishermen long ago are contained in this song’s 7-7-7-5 pattern of syllables.