The Mikagura Festival of Tomiyama Village

Overview

Located in the northeastern corner of Aichi Prefecture, Tomiyama Village has suffered from a shrinking population since the construction of Sakuma Dam left much of the village submerged (in 2005 Tomiyama was incorporated into Toyone Village). This film documents the mikagura festival, a tradition practiced in this region since the 15th century that combines the Shinto performing arts of yudate and kagura in praying for rebirth and purification.