Shishimai (Lion Dance)

Tokyo National Museum, Ueno

Adapted from China, the shishimai (Lion dance) is often performed around the New Year by one or two lions accompanied by bamboo flutes and drums. It was performed as a prayer for household safety and a good harvest.

There are regional variations; one or two people wearing the lion costume, and one or two lions dancing. At the end of the dance, the lion "bites" the heads of some watchers, to bring luck.

The shishimai shown here is performed at New Year by employees of the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. The dance features not only a lion but also characters such as a "hyottoko", and "Daikoku", the shinto god of wealth and protector of the soil.

Shishimai (Lion Dance)

Image ID: 10054

The shishimai lion "biting" the heads of watchers at the end of the dance, to bring luck.

A lion performing in a New Year's shishimai (lion dance).

A man dressed as the Japanese shinto god Daikoku, one of the Shichifukujin (Seven gods of good fortune) participates in a New Year shishimai (lion dance).

A man dressed as the Japanese shinto god Daikoku, one of the Shichifukujin (Seven gods of good fortune) participates in a New Year shishimai (lion dance). He holds a mallet which fulfils all wishes.

Man in a "hyottoko" mask participates in a New Year shishimai lion dance.

A man dressed as Daikoku, one of the Japanese shinto Shichifukujin (Seven gods of good fortune), participates in a New Year shishimai (lion dance). Daikoku holds a mallet which fulfils all wishes.

A lion dancer performs a New Year "shishimai" lion dance at the Tokyo National Museum.

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Shishimai (Lion Dance)

Tokyo National Museum, Ueno

Shishimai (Lion Dance)

Image ID: 10054