Kagura Kaido Road

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Bitchu Kagura Poster The Bitchu Kagura Ritual Dance originated in the ancient belief, held by the local people of Nariwa, that natural disasters, disease and other such misfortunes were brought upon them by a wild god named Kojin. This special dance was created in order to appease the angry god. deep in the mountains a dragon unfolds ... Bitchu Kagura Kagura Kaido Mountain Road　かぐら街道 At a rest area close to the Matsunaga Bridge there is a special dramatical exhibition ... The Dragon Slayer Susano The Dragon with many heads SUSANO AND THE GIANT SERPENT Susano was punished for his bad behavior and sent to the far away land of Ne no Kuni. As he wanders the region, he comes upon an old couple doing a dance of mournig. When he asked them, they told him of a giant serpent, which was attacking and eating the young maidens of the village, and now they fear for the safety of their own daughter. Susano wished to take their daughter as his wife, and so enlisted the help of the Deity "Matsu no Myojin" who prepared a concotion of poisonous rice wine. Susano gave this sake to the serpent and could now slay it. Thus he saved the village. gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Kagura Poster :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Kagura Mask

備中中部広域農道 （かぐら街道）

From Route 180 north of Takahashi town turn west at Takakura 高倉, where the road makes a huge loop to gain hight, then drive leisurely through the rather steep mountains toward Matsubara 松原 village, pass through Uji 宇治 village and reach Fukiya 吹屋ふるさと村. The road is not well travelled (we met three cars on the 30 minute drive), but the road condition is extremely well, with rather gentle curves considering the high mountain area and parts with more than 10% steep up or down slopes.
From Fukiya, you can drive down the other side and reach Niimi Town with a highway connection.


Three breathtaking bridges across extremely steep valleys make for extra thrill on this beautiful mountain road.


Japanese MAP of the area !


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Fukiya Village


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Takahashi and Fukiya Village

Take your time for 140 photos !
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Kagura Dance for the Gods My Information

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Bitchuu Kagura Ningyo 備中神楽人形 Kagura Dolls
from the village of Nariwa 成羽

The dolls are about 10 cm high, made of clay and with beautiful colors.
The small ones are only 4 cm high.
There are also 19 masks of the deities and some papermachee masks of this dance.


source :upp.so-net.ne.jp/u1cku/gangu5


source : popeye.sakura.ne.jp/okayama...
from the Shrine 松尾明神 Matsuo Jinja

. Folk Toys from Okayama .

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. Aichi - 碧南大浜土人形　
Ohama Clay Dolls .



神楽 Kagura dancer
about 22 cm high, made by 禰宜田佐太郎 Negita san



Fuuso tsuchi ningyo 扶桑土人形 clay doll from Fuso
made by 近藤茂三郎 Kondo Shigesaburo
about 25 cm high, beginning Meiji period

. Folk Art from Aichi .

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