HIROSHIMA KAGURARegular Performances 2021

This play is the kagura version of the Legend of Uba-ga-ike recorded in the Kannon Reigenki (Miracles of Kannon). It takes place in the Musashi Province (current Tokyo, Saitama, and part of Kanagawa) during the late Heian period. In Musashino-ga-hara in Musashi Province, there was a woman named Kaya-hime. She was the daughter of one of the Eight Great Dragon Kings and lord of Uba-ga-ike, Shagara-Ryūō. She had a loyal band of numerous followers and caused havoc and chaos in the land. The great god Hachiman Daibosatsu of Kamakura, concerned about Kaya-hime's reign of terror, ordered his loyal worshipper Nitta Arikuni to destroy her. Accompanied by Kusakabe Yukimori, Arikuni traveled to Kaya-hime's manor to carry out his mission, but when he arrived, Kaya-hime turned into a powerful dragon demon. After a fierce battle, Arikuni and Yukimori are victorious and peace returns to the land.