The Japanese word “oni” roughly translates in English to demon or ogre. Centuries of religious conditioning, create an image of an evil entity. However, that doesn`t do the notion of Oni on Sado Island justice. On Sado, they are seen as friendly deities that ward off evil by dancing and playing the taiko drum. This is called “Onidaiko” (masked deity drum dance) – or “Ondeko” in the local dialect. It is unknown when the tradition of Onidaiko started on Sado Island. The oldest known record of Onidaiko is an illustration of the Aikawa Festival that dates back to around 1744. Onidaiko is very often performed at local temple and … Continue reading 【Exploring Sado Island】Onidaiko – the rhythm of the past