Shimotayoro Shrine Festival: Presentation of Furenren Lion Dance

The Furenren Lion Dance, designated as Cultural Property No. 1 of Nayoro City, will be presented at the annual grand festival of Shimotayoro Shrine (下多寄神社). The Furenren Lion Dance tradition began in 1908 (Meiji 41) when a lion dance from Toyama Prefecture was presented to commemorate the shrine's founding, and this year marks its 118th anniversary. Eleven young members perform the dance by operating the lion's head and body, performing movements to calm the spirit of the lion.