Web Japan > Kids Web Japan > Meet the Kids > Shirakawa > Lion Dance
Shirakawa-go's lion dance dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The lion is played by four men, and the warriors who slay it are played by two boys.
Seven of the lion dances are performed by the adults. Another ten dances feature the children and tell the story of the warriors' struggle to vanquish the raging lion. The role of warrior is a demanding one for children, because it requires them to perform for long hours and move to the quick beat of the music while brandishing a sword or other weapon.
"The part where I kill the lion and swing the halberd is very hard. But going around the village is a lot of fun," says Masaru, a third grader who is playing the part of a warrior for the first time. Toshiya, a sixth grader who is performing for the fourth time, says that doing this has been his dream since he was little.
"The hardest part is making sure the two of us dance in step. Also, wrestling with the lion and piercing its mouth with the sword are difficult. And since Masaru is in third grade, I worry about him getting hurt."
According to village rules, the role of warrior can be played by children through their second year of junior high school. Toshiya has two more years to go, and he will do everything he can to put on powerful performances in the remaining years.