This folk entertainment has been passed down in Toshima since the Genroku era (1688-1704). The people of Nagasaki Village (part of present-day Toshima) would gather at their shrine, which still stands today as Nagasaki Shrine, to perform this shishimai dance to pray for the elimination of epidemics and disasters, an abundant harvest, rain, protection from evil, and world peace. Young dancers wear carved wooden dragon heads, jet-black chicken feathers down their backs, and sling taiko drums across their stomachs while they dance majestically. It is performed every year on the second Sunday in May at the Nagasaki Shrine Festival.

【1992 Toshima Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property】