獅子がいる家

－ シシヤー

⎯⎯⎯
House of the Lion

-Shishiyā

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Life & Culture Spot

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Photographed by Chris Martz

1. House of the Lion Marker

この場所は、「獅子頭を祭る家」という意味でシシヤーと呼ばれています。獅子舞は、かつて五穀豊穣と島の若者の繁栄を祈願し、集落の中でも特に身軽な若者が上の殿（トゥヌ）とよばれる拝所で白い鉢巻きにたすきを掛けて踊りました。
阿波連集落の獅子は胴体がついていない頭だけの一人獅子で、現在の獅子は第1回渡嘉敷祭りの時に復元されたものです。一人獅子はこの他に座間味村の阿嘉集落に見られ、海を隔ててつがいになっているという人もいます。

獅子の胴体の毛並みは樹木の繊維で作られました。
阿波連集落では樹木のオオハマボウ（方言名：ゆうな）、阿嘉集落では芭蕉が使われていました。

English:
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place is called Shishiyā, which means "house to enshrine the lion mask." In the past, the lion dance was performed by the most agile youth in the hamlet, wearing a white headband and a sash, at the place of worship called Kami-no-tunu to pray for a good harvest and the prosperity of the island's youth. The lion of Aharen Hamlet is a single-dancer lion with only the head (mask) and no body. The current lion was restored during the first Tokashiki Festival. The single-dancer lion is also found in Aka, Zamami Hamlet, and some people believe that it makes a couple with the lion in Aharen across the sea.

The fur on the body used to be made from tree fibers. In Aharen Hamlet, the tree Ōhamabou (locally called Yuna; scientific name Hibiscus tiliaceus L.) was used, whereas in Aka Hamlet, Bashō (scientific name Musa basjoo Siebold ex Iinuma) was used.
 
Erected by Ministry of the Environment.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.
 
Location. 26° 10.315′ N, 127° 20.789′ E. Marker is in Tokashiki, Okinawa, in Shimajiri District.

Photographed by Chris Martz, June 22, 2025

2. House of the Lion Marker

It is in Aharen. It is on Doro. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Doro, Tokashiki, Okinawa 901-3502, Japan. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Asia, specifically in East Asia, in the Pacific Ocean, in North Pacific, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, and in the Western World.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Aharen Beach and Bonito Fishing (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line).
 
Additional keywords. Shishiya

 

Photographed by Chris Martz, June 22, 2025

3. House of the Lion Marker

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by Chris Martz of Warrenton, Virginia. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Chris Martz of Warrenton, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.