赤澤鎧剣舞

大船渡町旧赤澤部落(現在の赤沢・上山・中央通りの三行行政区)に伝わる民俗芸能で江戸時代末期より踊られていましたが一時途絶え、明治に入り中興しました。
以前には衣装の両袖を脱いで踊るいわゆる「脱ぎ垂れ」の装束でしたが、百数十年前から鎧を着装し鎧剣舞の元祖として「赤澤鎧剣舞」と改め現在に至ります。
鎧を着衣し踊る様は気仙地方独特で、盛岡近郊の大念佛剣舞や北上和賀周辺の鬼剣舞とは少々趣を異にしており、戦乱後の亡霊済度の意義が特に強い芸能です。
市指定1969年

The Akasawa Yoroi Kenbai was the first Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by the city of Ofunato. It is a folk performing art native to the Akasawa village in Ofunato, and its history can be traced back to the late Edo period (1603–1868). After a period of inactivity, it was revived in the Meiji period (1868–1912), and since 1971, it has been preserved along with the “Akasawa Kyokuroku” by the so-named Akasawa Performing Arts Preservation Society. Previously, it was known as “Nugidare Kenbai,” with the dancers dressed nugidare style – both sleeves unworn and hanging down – but this was changed to the present armor costume over a century ago, and the dance was renamed Akasawa Yoroi Kenbai (“yoroi” meaning “armor”). This style of armor-clad dancing is unique to the Kesen region, and it was Akasawa Yoroi Kenbai that laid the groundwork for it. For this and for its gallant and splendid dance that leaves viewers overwhelmed and awed, it is rightly known as the original yoroi kenbai (“armored sword dance”).

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