Hometown Stories

Season 11, Episode 22

Episode Title: The Future of an Ancient Ritual

Air Date: 2022-09-18

Overview:

The Nakanomata Kagura, an ancient ritual from a community deep in Japan's mountains, has been in danger of dying out due to population decline. But recently young people from outside the community are revitalizing it. They'd experienced kagura as students visiting the area, and are now members of a group that aims to be a force for preserving the tradition. This documentary follows these young people over a five-month period as they open up new possibilities for the transmission of culture.