This is a short clip of the biggest dancing lion (shishi) at the 2022 Iida Oneri Matsuri in the Tenryu Riverlands, in southern Nagano prefecture, Japan. The Iida Oneri Matsuri has a history that goes back more than 400 years and is only held once every six years.

There were over 30 troupes performing taiko drumming, dances, parades, and lions dances in the streets of Iida.

The Higashino Ojishi is one of the biggest, oldest, and most famous lions in Japan.

It can't open its mouth (which is a newer fad) and its head weighs some 30 kilos, which makes dancing with it quite a challange.

The lion tamer is called Uteno, and his job is to wake up, control and make the lion fall asleep again.

There are people holding pillows to the left and ride of the lion so the head does not slam into the by standing crowds.

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