Eisa Dance

This is a centuries-long tradition, to mark the end of the Obon Festival.
It is danced by 20-30 young men and/or women, mainly in a circle to the accompaniment of singing, chanting, and drumming by the dancers, and folk songs played on the sanshin. Three types of drums are used in various combinations, depending upon regional style: the ōdaiko (大太鼓?), a large barrel drum; the shimedaiko (締太鼓?), a medium-sized drum similar to ones used in Noh theatre; and the paaranku (パーランク?), a small hand drum similar to ones used in Buddhist ceremony. The dancers also sometimes play small hand gongs and yotsutake castanets. Eisa dancers wear various costumes, usually according to local tradition and gender of the dancer; modern costumes are often brightly-colored and feature a characteristic, colorful Ryūkyū-style knotted turban. Special vests and leggings are also popular.