Shishimai - Okinawan Lion Dance in Naha

Shishimai is a lion dance done to ward off evil and plagues. Shishi are Chinese guardian lions also known as lion dogs. Shisa are an Okinawan version of shishi and they can be seen on roofs of homes as protectors as well as other structures.
The Shisa of Okinawa and the shishimai varies from area to area. In some variants the shisa is huge made up of two people as in the case here at a festival in Naha.

[@quirkyeggmuffin]

I don’t know about everyone else. But this was kind of adorable lol :]

[@quirkyeggmuffin]

@@syee86
I did it became my hyperfixation for a short period of time lmao

[@BlackCat_2]

Thank you so much for sharing that. :) - Heidi

[@cherriemay528]

I wouldn't want to get chased by one

[@quietkidinclass992]

Lol, me too-

[@ilovebananas9635]

@@quietkidinclass992 that would be a nightmare

[@Joyce_And_Jayne]

Same

[@ihavenogoodnames8994]

They actually bite people not to do harm but to eat up the bad spirits

[@dude28319]

That so scary

[@caileeayeshauy4875]

I like the part it just cutely drank some kind of side XD

[@syee86]

I suggest can refer lion dance in malaysia also, make more creative dance will attractive😘

[@Ivanofkoshinkaisokanryu]

That looks fun

[@strawberry779]

I want to work there when I’m older

[@strawberry779]

Looks so fun

[@Vipersnake09]

Fun fact nepal new year and chinise new year are same

[@ThienNguyen-lk6xd]

Do they also perform lion dance in mid autumn?

[@strawberry779]

Is that a creppy dragon or people under it

[@calamari.jaksun8914]

It's a lion dog.. and yes, there are two people under it

[@GamingHamsterHQ]

0:26 nah bro they look evil

[@ihavenogoodnames8994]

Don't judge a book by it's cover there bud!

[@ryanteh7001]

im chinese and this is pretty similar to the one we have :)

[@RoninDave]

not surprising as a lot of Chinese culture was imported into Okinawa and Japan especially during the Tang Dynasty

[@ryanteh7001]

@@RoninDave yeah! it looks closer to the southern variant of the dance

[@taylor_h796]

@@ryanteh7001 Are you sure? I would say the southern varient (especially Fut San) gives a different vibe compared to this Japanese dance, or maybe it's just me.

[@a.r.m6303]

Pokémon S&P wo-chien 0:03

[@UnOfficial_FunSizedWhitty]

200th like of this vid

[@user-sb9so3dv8x]

日本的传统文化保存的很好

[@BallMusics]

The nose-

[@Joyce_And_Jayne]

Look like a big nose

[@festoga8890]

Imgur brought me here.

[@yokaza8437]

What kind of dog is this?

[@RoninDave]

a big one!

[@user-hl7ty6yu8j]

I was that shishi ma

[@Trashpigee]

the more snaps the more luck

[@elizabethbenny1294]

Bro I scared

[@Hstyles708]

ししはますのであることを言ってたけどなの 😓

[@Nyedruplhendrupdorji10]

Hahaha hahahaha hahahaha hahahaha 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SamsonOhsem]

The lion dance costume is slightly different from my place
czcams.com/video/79SRppbTVts/video.html
Good performance btw

[@StellarianSigma]

Yes I live there too They changed it because of the tradition so sabah lion dance is like the original one and Japan's lion dance is a different one.