We have 53 KAGURA troupes in Kitahiroshima-cho, which is the most among the towns/cities in Hiroshima prefecture.

As each troupe has 15 ～ 20 members on an average, we can say that there are roughly 1,000 KAGURA performers in this small town. KAGURA troupes are composed of various generations --- mainly from teenagers to forties, but sixties and seventies are also playing active part. The volume of the generation playing central part in troupes are a little more than 10 thousands and that means one to 10 people is concerned with KAGURA!

I think it is no exaggeration to say that you can see more than 1 person concerned with KAGURA in every company(or any kind of workplace). In fact, I have worked at three different offices in Kitahiroshima-cho and each time some of the colleagues were KAGURA performers.

They are not pros. Some study at schools, some work at companies, some raise vegetables and/or rice. Everyone is fairly busy, but they get together for practice (rehearsal) two or three times a week.

Why do they choose that ascetic way of life?

The answer may depends on the performers. Ask themselves personally when you get to watch the stage of KAGURA.

Most of the time, you'd have opportunities to take photos with the KAGURA performers after the performance.