{"id":59,"date":"2026-08-13T14:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T05:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kawauchi.homeip.mydns.jp\/8j0a\/?page_id=59"},"modified":"2026-08-23T07:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T22:44:10","slug":"8j0a-ayako-mai-memorial-ham-radio-station","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kawauchi.homeip.mydns.jp\/8j0a\/top-page\/8j0a-ayako-mai-memorial-ham-radio-station\/","title":{"rendered":"8J0A “Ayako Mai” Memorial Ham Radio Station"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Ayako Mai?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Ayako-mai is an ancient and elegant folk performing art that has been passed down for approximately 500 years in the Onadani district of Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture.<\/span>
\nAyako-mai has been carefully preserved and passed down by the local people in the Onadani district at the foot of Mount Kurohime. Currently, the troupes in the two settlements of Takanda and Shimono continue to pass down the performing art inherited from their ancestors.<\/span>
\nThe content is divided into three parts: dance, musical accompaniment, and Kyogen, and various performances have been passed down. In particular, the dance, in which dancers wear long-sleeved furisode kimonos, long sashes, and red cloths called “yurai” on their heads, is considered a valuable representation of early Kabuki dance and is highly valued as an extremely important cultural heritage in the history of performing arts.<\/span>
\nAyako-mai was designated as one of the first Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan on May 4, 1976 (Showa 51). And in 2026, it will mark a major milestone: the 50th anniversary of this designation.<\/span>
\nFurthermore, in November 2022, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the “F\u016bry\u016b Odori” (elegant dances). Having been passed down in the region for approximately 500 years, Ayako-mai is now recognized worldwide as one of Japan’s leading folk performing arts.<\/span><\/p>\n