100 local ladies become shrine maidens for the evening to dance in at Hiroshima Gokoku-jinja Shrine

100 local ladies become shrine maidens for the evening to dance in at Hiroshima Gokoku-jinja Shrine (Photo: GetHiroshima)

Mantou Mitama Festival in Photos

100 "miko" shrine maidens dance by lantern light

Paul Walsh May 23, 2013 - 1 min read

100 local ladies become shrine maidens for the evening to dance in at Hiroshima Gokoku-jinja Shrine

Gokoku-jinja Shrine is decorated with hundreds of lanterns

Things begin with a ceremony in the main shrine building

Then a ritual lightng of the "kagaribi"

The first of the dances begin just before dusk

And as the light fades

The lanterns are lit

Full time "miko" shrine maidens perform a more austere dance

Kagura complete with fireworks

Dancers take a break

Before the final set of performances

And the lamp lit finale

100 miko shrine maidens dance by lantern light on the first night of the Mantou Mitama Matsuri at Hiroshima Gokoku-jinja Shrine. Japanese taiko drum and kagura dance are also performed at this festival to assuage the spirits of the war dead enshrined here.

More info

Find out more about Gokoku Shrine.

Paul Walsh

Paul Walsh @paul.walsh

A total of 18 years in Japan and still loving it. Co-founder of GetHiroshima.com and publisher of the GetHiroshima Guide Map. Lapsed Ironman triathlete. Now trying to fit a passion for ultra distance trail running between raising two kids and occasional sessions in the DJ booths of Hiroshima.