近江のケンケト祭り長刀振りは、滋賀県南東部で行われる祭礼の総称です。

室町時代末期、京の都で祇園祭の山鉾の露払いや囃子が風流の芸能として大流行しました。その流れを汲み、きらびやかな衣装や持ち物に趣向を凝らして、笛や太鼓などで囃したてにぎやかに踊ることにより厄災を払い、安寧な暮らしを願います。この祭りは、「風流踊」の伝統を今に伝える貴重なもので、現在も地域の人びとを結ぶ大切な絆となっています。

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“Kenketo Festival Naginata Swinging of Omi Province” represents collectively the religious festivals held in southeastern Shiga Prefecture. (Naginata: Japanese-style spear)

 In the late “Muromachi period” the two features of the “Gion Festival” in Kyoto, musical accompaniments and a giant evil-spirit-exorcising float, became very much popular as things of “Furyu". (Furyu: to be luxurious, eye-catching and elaborate in design that can impress people) Following the tradition of Furyu, in “Kenketo Festival Naginata Swinging of Omi Province”, people elaborate on glittering costumes and stuff to carry, dance lively to the music by flutes and drums and also engage in “Naginata Swinging” performance. Doing those, people in several Lake Biwa southern areas of Omi province try to ward off misfortunes and sincerely wish, together, for the peaceful lives in their areas.

 “Kenketo Festival Naginata Swinging of Omi Province” has been not only very precious for passing down the tradition of actings of Furyu “Furyu Dance” to now, but it has also been very important for connecting people of local communities as a bond.

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