Poster Illustration for Tadami Beech Center (Winter)

只見町ブナセンター 冬版　ポスターイラスト　雪の只見

This illustration is introducing the snowy scenery of Tadami, one of Japan’s largest snowfall areas, and the Saotome Odori Dance, one of the local traditional performing arts.
It reflects the local community and culture that has been handed down in this harsh but rich natural environment.

The Tadami mountains, which reflect various vegetation patterns depending on the season, display the contrast between the deep-green, almost black, of the Kita-goyou (Northern Japanese white pine) along the ridge and white of the snow on the slopes in winter.

“Kobayashi / Yanatori no Saotome Odori and Kagura” is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property by the prefecture.
The Saotome Dance, which is said to have originated in the Edo period, is performed in various areas of the Aizu region in honor of good harvests.

Currently, in Tadami, the performance is handed down in only a few areas; mainly Ogawa, Kobayashi and Yantori. We rarely have a chance to see this event performed traditionally in the local area.
The Saotome dance performed in each district has a local enthusiasm and flair, and has a different atmosphere than that on the stage.
But thanks to preservation groups in the Kobayashi and Yanatori districts, this stage version can be seen at various events such as festivals in Tadami, and specialty fairs in cities and towns, preserving this traditional culture.

There are various scenes in the series of performances, and in addition to the people in charge, Shishi-mai and Hyottoko also perform in the scene.
As for Saotome Odori and Kagura, the illustrations of other scenes are also updated in the Culture and Events of Tadami gallery of this site.

Shishi-mai：Shishi-mai or Lion Dance
Hyottoko：Hyottoko or Comical masked character similar to a clown
Kagura：Kagura or Shinto music and dancing

Some illustration information is available in About the Art（English）

More info about the Tadami Beech Centre from the following links:

Buna centre or Japanese Beech tree centre is a local town information centre and museum focusing on research and environmental and cultural conservation work in the surrounding area, located in Tadami town, at the western end of Fukushima prefecture.

Tadami, Fukushima pref.
Located in a heavy snowfall region in the south-west of Fukushima prefecture on the border with Niigata prefecture. Declared「Shizen shuto・Tadami（Capital of Nature・Tadami）in 2007.
Its natural environment and resources together with the life and culture of its residents were judged particularly valuable among the modern world environment,
In 2014 it was designated as a biosphere reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Program. UNESCO’s Japan committee calls them Eco Parks.