The Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences will host the Kagura Dance Company from Tono, Japan on Monday, Nov. 12 to celebrate the one year anniversary of Tono and Chattanooga becoming Sister Cities. The traditional dance group dates back 500 years and will present a special performance for the school at 3:15 p.m. in the Creed Bates Auditorium.
Over 29-years, a special relationship developed between the people of Tono and the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences and the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts in Hamilton County Schools through the student exchange program. The special bond formed from the exchange of students led to the City of Chattanooga and Tono becoming Sister Cities on Sept.
15, 2017. A community performance for all Hamilton County citizens will also be held on Monday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Multicultural Center. The two performances by the Kagura Dance Company are Tono’s gift to Chattanooga in honor of the one year anniversary.
“CSAS and CSLA are proud to continue our exchange programs with the people of Tono, Japan,” said Jim Boles, principal of CSAS Upper School. “We are incredibly excited about this wonderful opportunity.”
The Hirakura Kagura is a traditional dance born in small villages at the foot of Hayachine mountain near Ohasama town and Tono. Originally, Kagura was born as a shrine ritual, but now it is also performed as an art. The Hirakura Kagura is created by dance and instruments becoming united. There are 15 different schools of Kagura in Tono. Hirakura Kagura started in 1901 and has become the most powerful and distinguished group in Tono. The performing group practices to improve their skills every Saturday and performs 25 times a year for shrine rituals, local festivals, and tourists.