Kiyoto Lion Dance (Hie Shrine)

It is said that the Kiyoto Lion Dance originated when a lion head was passed down to the Kiyoto Gashuku community, and it later became a festival in Naka-Kiyoto to pray for a bountiful harvest and ward off misfortune. It is held every year on the Sunday around July 15 at Hie Shrine.

This “dance” begins with a procession that departs from the center of Nakaseito and heads along the Shiki Kaido toward Hie Shrine. The Mountain God leads the procession, dancing as he goes, while the Female Lion, Medium Lion, and Large Lion parade along to the sound of flutes and drumbeats, building anticipation for the dance to follow.In front of the main hall at the shrine, a vigorous dance unfolds for about 45 minutes, accompanied by flutes and songs performed while singers cover their mouths with white fans. Within the shrine grounds, dances are also performed in front of a small mound called Mt. Ontake and in front of the Suitengu Shrine hall.

The Kiyose City Local History Museum has a lion drum that was used in the past on permanent display in its history exhibition room.