neukyosuke

Takachiho (高千穂) in northern Miyazaki Prefecture is the mythic origin point of Japanese Shintō — the place where, according to the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE), the sun goddess Amaterasu retreated into the Ama-no-Iwato cave, plunging the world into darkness; where the god Ame-no-Uzume danced to draw her out; and where the imperial ancestor Ninigi-no-Mikoto descended from the heavens. The Takachiho Yokagura (高千穂夜神楽), the night-long sacred Shintō dance performed at Takachiho Shrine since at least the 12th century, is the living continuation of that mythology — recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property since 1978. This decorative oni (demon) face mask is a craftsperson-made shrine-festival replica in resin, ¥12,000, mounted for wall display. This guide walks through the 1,300-year arc from the Kojiki to today's annual kagura performances — and how to bring this piece home from outside Japan.