Shrine Maidens Dance at Kameido Tenjin
I never expected to photograph shrine maidens. They performed at Kameido Tenjin, a Tokyo shrine. I went there for the 2024 Wisteria Festival. Instead of flowers, I got photos of a great Japanese cultural experience.
Was I surprised to photograph them? Yes, I was. Let me explain. I’ve been in Japan for more than thirty years. My interest in the country started in the early 1970s with a TV show, The Samurai. The ninjas and swords fascinated this young boy.
In Australia, that show was more popular than The Mickey Mouse Club, for a time. Its star, Koichi Ose, got a bigger crowd to greet him than the Beatles! Can you believe it?
University happened for me in the early 1990s. I studied Contemporary Japanese History. Learning about Japan after the Meiji Restoration was a huge eye-opener.
When I came to Japan, temples and shrines grabbed me. I enjoyed their history and architecture. But not the religion. Even in Australia, it never interested me. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. That was probably in the 1980s.
I’m not the religious type. That led me to miss one aspect of Japanese culture since traditional dance and Shinto go hand in hand. So I am on shaky ground writing this article. Anyway, what led me to photograph shrine maidens performing at a Wisteria Festival?
When I went to Kameido Tenjin, the Wisteria Festival had just started. Few flowers had bloomed. I needed photos. But walking around led me to a crowd at the Kagura-den.
I joined them. Luckily, a position opened in front of the stage. By the end of the afternoon, I was glad I witnessed the performance. The lighting could have been better, but for a first effort, I got good photos.
What are shrine maidens?
Shrine maidens are Shinto priestesses. They were once seen as shamans. In modern Japan, they have a different role. Now, they perform tasks ranging from cleaning to performing ceremonial Kagura dances.
Who performed?
Sango-no-Miya performed the show. They are modern shrine maidens (or Miko in Japanese). Their school is near Tokyo Skytree. They can teach you the dances even in English. Check out their website.
How was the Kameido Tenjin performance?
Earlier, I mentioned Kagura-den. Do you know what that is? It’s the building where shrine maidens perform. This one had a backdrop of cherry blossoms and the moon. That was a good start.
Then the shrine maidens appeared. They varied in age. One of them might have been in her early teens. Don’t trust me on that, though. I’m guessing.
Narration, in Japanese and English, accompanied the performance. That was good because I didn’t know much about shrine maiden dances. This day was a learning experience for me, too.
One dance involved the goddess Amaterasu. Another told the tale of Princess Miyazu and Takeru Yamato. But I couldn’t keep up with the commentary while taking photos.
Shinto dance performances won’t get your pulse running. Shrine maidens, in long formal robes, don’t use quick or complicated movements. Everything is slow and deliberate. They tell a story.
What is Kameido Tenjin?
Kameido Tenjin is a shrine on Tokyo’s east side. It’s known for its flower festivals, the most famous being the wisteria. There are others throughout the year. Read more about it in my full article.
Conclusion
I’d had a great time with the Sango-no-Miya shrine maidens. They gave me a great Japanese cultural experience. Their gowns and accessories were beautiful. They were easy to photograph because of their slow and deliberate movements. I can’t believe I have never photographed them. Better late than never, I guess.
Have you seen them? It would be great to hear more experiences. If you have photographed them, let me know where I can see your pictures. Shrine maidens are pretty special. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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