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Nafune Village Gojinjo Taiko

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Nafune Village Gojinjo Taiko

Local performance with intense drumming and ferocious dances

Ishikawa Prefecture

Gojinjo taiko drumming is a ritual drum performance native to the village of Nafune in the city of Wajima on the Noto Peninsula. It dates back to 1576, when it is reputed to have saved the village from an attack by the well-known warlord, Kenshin Uesugi, who was attempting to invade this eastern part of the peninsula and take Nanao Castle. In a courageous effort to defend their native land, the villagers beat the drums under cover of darkness, wearing masks of bark and with seaweed on their heads to give the appearance of tangled long hair. The Uesugi camp was thrown into confusion at the ferocious sound of the drums and the unearthly appearance. They fled from the region with haste.

To commemorate the brave action of these weaponless villagers, taiko drumming performances imitating this historic tale are held every summer as part of the Nafune Grand Festival.

Gojinjo Taiko has been designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by Wajima City and by Ishikawa Prefecture. There are regular, free performances of Gojinjo taiko outside the Wajima Kiriko Art Museum from spring to autumn.