Simojo（下條）：Shimojo（下條）derives from a surname of a feudal lord who governed this area from the middle of the 14th century to the end of 16th century.
During the family’s reign, many cultural figures, including shrine carpenters, Buddhist sculptors, and military strategists, were invited from the Kyoto area, bringing the dawn of culture to this region. Even after the family was expelled at the end of the civil war period, the area maintained a stable lifestyle and boasted a high level of culture. That is why their family name is still respected and adopted as the name of a village.
The history and culture of that era are still deeply rooted in people’s lives, and there are around 90 folk tales and legends that have been passed down within the village.
Thus, people in Shimojo village are good story tellers and love to express themselves with their whole body.
This is one of the reasons Kabuki, one of the most popular Japanese performing arts, has been passed down for over 300 years in this area.
Shimojo Kabuki
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