Hometown Stories

Season 7, Episode 33

Episode Title: Onikenbai: the Demon Sword Dance

Air Date: 2018-11-11

Overview:

Demon-like figures wearing scary masks swing their swords menacingly. It's an ancient performing art called Onikenbai or "demon sword dance." Practitioners are aging, and new blood is needed to carry on the tradition. A group of high school students in Iwate Prefecture are determined to keep the tradition alive, but teaching it to younger generations proves to be a more difficult challenge than expected.