Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Kyushu National Museum
Yoshihirogaku
In October of 2025, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of Kyushu
National Museum.
To celebrate our milestone anniversary, we are introducing the many Intangible Folk Cultural
Properties around Kyushu, in particular Furyū-odori recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
For our second segment, we are debuting Yoshihirogaku from Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture at our
museum!
Catch this folk dance normally performed only in Kunisaki, in person at our museum, and check
out tourism promotional material and local products from the city. Through our events, we hope
to introduce visitors to traditional cultures and ceremonies within Kyushu.
What is Yoshihirogaku?
Yoshihirogaku is a type of gaku’uchi dance practiced by devotees in
Rakuteihachimangu Shrine, located in Musashi town of Kunisaki city, Oita
Prefecture.
Gaku’uchi is a type of dance performed with taiko drums, descended from
nenbutsu recitation performances. This performance art was thought to have
appeased vengeful spirits and prevented disasters. In 1996, Yoshihirogaku was
designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property; in 2022, it was
registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In this contemporary era, Yoshihirogaku is performed twice every 4th Sunday in July,
at 10AM and 2PM.
Performance
Date and time:
11 May 2025 (Sun)
First session: 13:00-13:30
Second session: 14:15-14:45
Venue:
Outdoor Plaza in front of Kyushu National Museum
* The performance will be held at the Museum Hall (1F) in case of rain.
Admission:
Free viewing (standing)
Panel, Video Display
Introductory panels about Kunisaki, videos about Yoshihirogaku
* There will be a fair selling local Kunisaki products on 11 May (Sun).
Date:
3 May (Sat) – 11 May (Sun)
* The museum is closed on 7 May (Wed).
Venue:
Kyushu National Museum Entrance Hall (1F)
Organizer:
Kyushu National Museum
Co-Organizer:
Kunisaki City
Kunisaki City Board of Education