Yanagimaru - Iwate Morioka Sansa Odori Festival Sansa Odori Dance originates from the Mitsuishi Legend A long time ago in Morioka castle town an oni demon named Rasetsu was terrorizing the local people Being at a total loss as what to do they prayed to the deity Mitsuishi-kami to rid them of the demon Mitsuishi-kami heard their prayers caught the demon and made him pledge to never trouble the people again by making the demon leave his handprint on the rocks located at Mitsuishi Shrine This legend Oni no tegata or Demon s handprint on the rocks explains the origin of the name Iwate rock hand In addition the locals rejoicing at the dispelling of the demon danced around the Mitsuishi Stones shouting Sansa Sansa which is also said to be the beginning of the Sansa Odori dance Read more
