Taito City Culture Guide Book, New Year's celebration

Lion Dance (exhibit of Taito City Shitamachi Fuzoku Shiryokan)

Shishi-Mai or Lion Dance(exhibit of Taito City Shita-machi Museum)

Let the lion bite hands, and pray for happiness and good health for the year.

Let the Shishi bite hands and head, and pray for happiness and good health for the year.

The New Year in Taito City begins with dances of Shishi and Daikokuten, or Lion and the God of wealth, which celebrate the start of the year. Shishi-Mai, or a ritual dance by a performer wearing a lion's mask, originated in the Ise region, has been widely performed at auspicious occasions. In Daikoku-Mai, a performer wears the costume of Daikokuten, and swings a mallet of good luck praying for happiness and fortune. What a happy day!

During the New Year's holiday, the Lion and Daikokuten are busy visiting houses.

During the New Year's holiday, Shishi and Daikokuten are busy visiting houses in Taito City and have no time to rest. Fortune smiles on a merry home. (January 2)