EXPO2025

EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan /
Exclusive Performance

Iwami Kagura
'Orochi' Descends!
The Legacy of Passionate Dedication
Inherited Through Time

The Town of Hamada,
Home to the Creation of
Iwami Kagura

Outline

June

19th

Thu.

1 Performance

Performance Time
18:00〜
June

20th

Fri.

3 Performance

Performance Time
10:30〜/14:00〜/18:00〜

Venue：EXPO Hall "Shining Hat"

For those using the Shinkansen:

From JR Shin-Osaka Station (A46), take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (A47), then transfer to the Osaka Loop Line (inner loop) at Osaka Station and head toward JR Bentencho Station (O15). At Bentencho Station, transfer to the Osaka Metro Chūō Line.
From Osaka Metro Shin-Osaka Station (M13), take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Honmachi Station (M18), then transfer to the Osaka Metro Chūō Line at Honmachi Station.

For those using the Airplane: Kansai International Airport

From JR Kansai Airport Station (S47), take the JR Kansai Airport Line / Hanwa Line to Tennoji Station (R20), then transfer to the Osaka Loop Line (outer loop) at Tennoji Station and head toward JR Bentencho Station (O15). At Bentencho Station, transfer to the Osaka Metro Chūō Line.
From Nankai Kansai Airport Station (NK32), take the Nankai Airport Line / Nankai Main Line to Namba Station (NK01), then transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line at Namba Station and head toward Honmachi Station (M18). At Honmachi Station, transfer to the Osaka Metro Chūō Line.

Performance Piece

大蛇

[Orochi]

55 Giant Serpents Deliver an Awe-Inspiring Performance on Stage for the First Time

Iwami Kagura 'Orochi' Descends! The Legacy of Passionate Dedication Inherited Through Time This performance tells the story of Susanoo no Mikoto's battle against Yamata no Orochi (the eight-headed serpent), based on the ancient Japanese myth. It is an iconic piece of Iwami Kagura, representing the art form and could be considered the very symbol of Iwami Kagura. The ‘serpent’s head’ mask, crafted using the highest level of skill in Iwami Kagura mask-making (the Nagahama mask), and the 'Iwami Kagura serpent body,' inspired by lanterns, are skillfully employed to bring the giant serpent to life. The serpent’s dynamic and lifelike movements overwhelm the audience, building to a climactic scene where Susanoo no Mikoto raises his sword to confront the serpent. It spits fireworks from its mouth. The performance is indescribable, an incredible display that captivates the audience with its sheer power.

神迎[Kanmukae]

This is a ceremonial dance to welcome the gods, marking the beginning of Iwami Kagura. Four performers, dressed in traditional hunting attire, hold sacred objects such as a purification wand, ring bells, and fans, performing a solemn ritual to purify the four directions as they dance reverently. It is an opening dance that fills the air with a sacred atmosphere.
大江山[Ooeyama]

A grand tale of monster slaying, where Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his retainers set out to defeat the notorious oni (ogre) Shutendoji, who has committed numerous evil deeds. With thrilling interrogations of the oni and a showdown involving magic and fierce battles, this is a Kagura performance full of exciting highlights.
恵比須[Ebisu]

This Kagura portrays the fun, comical scene of Ebisu, the god of abundant catch and prosperous business, enjoying a fishing trip at Miho no Misaki. Its mystical and auspicious atmosphere makes it a performance everyone can easily relate to.

History & Background of
Iwami Kagura

The Town That Brought Iwami Kagura to Life

Shimane Prefecture is on the west side of Japan’s main island, facing the Sea of Japan. In its western part lies Iwami, with Hamada City at its center. This castle town, surrounded by mountains and sea, shows the old and peaceful beauty of Japan.
Hamada is the birthplace of Iwami Kagura, a traditional sacred dance. While keeping its old style, it has also changed with time. Key parts like costumes, masks, and serpent props were all created in Hamada, making it the home of this unique culture.
At Expo ’70 in Osaka, the famous Orochi dance was performed in the main plaza. Its powerful show amazed people from around the world.
Since then, Iwami Kagura has been invited to many places, including Europe, the U.S., Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. It won the Prince Takamado Award and is now known as one of Japan’s top traditional arts. Out of over 50 stories, Orochi is the most well-known and has inspired many other performances in Japan.

The Local Craftsmanship and Culture
Powering Iwami Kagura

The Iwami Kagura masks, serpent bodies, costumes, and fireworks—created by skilled artisans in Hamada—are essential to Iwami Kagura. All were first made in Hamada.

Sekishu Washi & Sekishu Hanshi

Iwami Kagura is a local treasure, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a National Important Cultural Property of Japan.Thanks to local paper, the making of masks, costumes, and serpent bodies was able to grow and shine.

Iwami Kagura Masks "Nagahama Masks"

The Iwami Kagura masks, made with Sekishu washi and based on Nagahama clay dolls, are also called Nagahama masks. Light and strong, they show rich expressions, especially in the serpent heads.

Iwami Kagura Costumes

The Iwami Kagura costumes, first made by Hamada’s artisans, are richly decorated with gold and silver threads. A key feature is 3D embroidery called “Ikimono,” showing dragons and other creatures with shading.

Iwami Kagura Serpent Bodies

“Orochi,” the giant serpent, is the symbol of Iwami Kagura. The serpent body used in this dance was designed in Hamada. Its powerful and lifelike movement amazes viewers and has influenced many other traditional arts in Japan.

Creator
Profile

Director

PATO

Born on December 18, 1972, PATO is a renowned stage director with LDH JAPAN. Over the years, he has choreographed and directed live performances for major acts like EXILE and JSB3, as well as special stage productions for the Takarazuka Revue and the HIGH&LOW Sengoku series. Not limited to live performances, PATO is always eager to explore new perspectives in direction. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience gained in the entertainment industry, he takes on the role of director for this project.portfolio also includes collaborations with artists such as Thelma Aoyama and Ketsumeishi. Known for pushing creative limits, PATO brings his extensive entertainment industry experience to this.
Illustrator

Tsumi Koto

Active since 2017. Illustrator turned contemporary artist. Born in Japan. Age is undisclosed. Gender is male. Based on an awareness that there is no boundary between illustrations (especially digital works) and contemporary artworks in the first place, Cotoh has succeeded in producing contemporary artworks with unique interpretation of mass-consumed illustrations and their printing techniques. Cotoh’s works include silkscreen, giclee prints, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and hand paintings, all of which are unique (except for ukiyo-e woodblock prints). By deliberately limiting artwork creation to using techniques based on mass consumption, Cotoh seeks to bring a breath of fresh air to the Japanese context in which these artworks have been generally evaluated as commercial products. With no particularity in style in terms of design or method of output, Cotoh’s work is constantly being updated. A contemporary artist who continues to challenge an approach that is distinctly different from the artists who depict urban female characters of today.

Iwami Kagura 'Orochi' Descends!The Legacy of Passionate DedicationInherited Through Time

Outline

Performance Piece

大蛇

55 Giant Serpents Deliver an Awe-Inspiring Performance on Stage for the First Time

神迎[Kanmukae]

大江山[Ooeyama]

恵比須[Ebisu]

History & Background of Iwami Kagura

The Town That Brought Iwami Kagura to Life

The Local Craftsmanship and Culture Powering Iwami Kagura