Kenbai, which is distributed from Iwate Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the representative folk performing arts of the Tohoku region.
Among these, the sword dance performed while wearing a mask with the appearance of an angry man is well known as Onikenbai.
There are also several other forms, such as the Dai-Nenbutsu, which features a kasafuri wearing a large hat with an artifact from Amida-do Hall on top.
This is a type of nenbutsu dance that has been performed mainly during Obon at Shinbutsu’s homes, graves, temples, etc., and is performed along with nenbutsu chants to repose the souls of the deceased.
It is also an elegant performing art that is elaborately designed with unique shapes, such as the dancers taking on strange forms that are described as demons, and the appearance of artificial objects that make it appear that the Pure Land of Paradise is right in front of your eyes.
Onikenbu distributed in the central and southern parts of Iwate Prefecture
Oni Kenbu is also called Nenbutsu Kenbu, and it can be seen that it is influenced by the Nenbutsu philosophy of saving sentient beings.
The meaning of the word Kenbu is not only that.
There is a theory that it is related to the study of religious history and entertainment history as a method of magic to subdue evil spirits.
There is also a theory that it came from the offerings of sake cups used when people in the entertainment industry exchanged sake cups at banquet halls.