“Japanese Traditions”: Japanese Festival Music (Jun Hōgaku)
Festival hayashi music is indispensable to Japanese festivals.
It’s music performed with traditional Japanese instruments—such as taiko drums, flutes, and small gongs—sounds that every Japanese person has likely heard somewhere.
Classified as pure traditional Japanese music, festival hayashi has long been performed and cherished at festivals across the country.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide variety of such local festival hayashi!
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“Japanese Traditions” Japanese festival music of traditional Japanese music (41–50)
Hino Hayashi
Hino-bayashi, designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property handed down in Hino City, Tokyo.
It is a festival music tradition performed not only at shrines in the city but also at neighborhood association festivals, making it close to local residents.
Seven pieces, including “Kamakura” and “Niwa,” are performed, and during the music, performers such as a lion dancer and people wearing Okame masks make appearances.
A distinctive feature is that, over many years, the performance style has remained largely unchanged, preserving its traditional sound as is.
Riding the rhythm of the hayashi, each performer moves with a sense of story, making it not only a pleasure to listen to but also a compelling spectacle to watch.
Hidaka Hayashi
The Hidaka Fire Prevention Festival is held to seek protection from deities and buddhas against fires that are beyond human control.
It takes place every year on the 22nd day of the first month of the old lunar calendar.
It is said that the “Hi” (Hidaka) of Hidaka Myoken Shrine is associated with fire, while the “Zui” (瑞) of Zuizan Shrine is associated with water. It is believed that Lord Date Munekage conceived this idea while in Edo, after witnessing how quickly fires there could spread.
Fires were truly terrifying in Japan at that time.
The first performance of the Hidaka Hayashi takes place at the worship hall and the offering hall of Hidaka Shrine.
Although it’s called “hayashi,” the music carries the feel of both kagura and hayashi.
Ishidori Festival Hayashi
Often called Japan’s noisiest festival and one of the nation’s most extraordinary, the Ishidori Festival music captivates listeners with its powerful sound.
Centered on Kasuga Shrine in Kuwana City, the festival features over 30 festival floats equipped with gongs and drums, which are struck in unison—a beloved summer tradition since long ago.
Originally, it was a ritual of collecting stones from the Machiya River in southern Kuwana and offering them to Kasuga Shrine, but it’s the festival music that truly leaves an impression.
The Ishidori Hall also has a hands-on music experience corner, so if you’re curious, why not pay a visit?
Akitsu Festival Bayashi (festival music)
At the Akitsu Shrine Grand Festival in Higashimurayama, Tokyo, you can enjoy breathtakingly beautiful festival music.
Led primarily by local children, a unique Hyottoko dance unfolds, lifting the spirits of everyone who visits.
The traditional dances performed by girls wearing Okame masks are also captivating, their charm utterly disarming.
The melodies of the festival music leave an unforgettable impression once heard and have been lovingly preserved by the local community for many years.
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to experience the power and beauty of the Akitsu festival music for yourself.
Kasai-bayashi (Kasai festival music)
If you live in Tokyo, this festival music may sound especially familiar.
Kasai-bayashi is a traditional festival ensemble beloved since long ago in the area around Katsushika Ward.
According to one account, it was born at Kasai Shrine in the 1700s and is considered “the origin of the festival music, such as Kanda-bayashi, that has been passed down across various parts of Tokyo.” It is performed by five players—odaiko (large drum), shime-daiko (two small drums), fue (bamboo flute), and kane (hand gong)—and the core repertoire consists of six pieces.
It’s a light, refreshing style that evokes the scent of summer the moment you hear it.
You can also enjoy comparing it with the styles that branched off from it.
Sakata Festival Hayashi
This festival music is performed at the Sakata Festival held in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
The lively sound of the kane (hand gong) is striking, energizing the festivities.
The Sakata Festival is considered one of the three major festivals of the Shonai region, with the entire city coming together to heighten the celebration.
As one of the elements that elevates the atmosphere, this festival music carries a power and momentum worthy of a top-three festival.
Its robust, dynamic melody lifts the listener’s spirits and sparks the desire to enjoy the festival even more.
Decorative Festival Music
Kazarayama Hayashi is performed at the autumn festival held in September in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture.
In addition to the standard hayashi instruments like taiko drums, hand drums, kane (gong), and flutes, it also features shamisen and vocals, making for a lively ensemble.
Dancers join as well, so it’s enjoyable not only to hear but also to watch.
The hayashi is played atop the festival floats during the event, and the dancers perform while the floats are stopped.
The floats are decorated with large figures, so the music, dance, and floats together create an exciting festival atmosphere.