The Kamaishi Dai-Kannon is an enormous statue of a god, watching out over fishermen as they go out to sea. It was only constructed some 30 years ago, so lacks the historical signifigance of other statues, but you can go up inside and look out from her forehead, Statue-of-Liberty style.
Kamaishi has a traditional dance called Toramae, which tranlates to Tiger Dance. Each Tiger Dance group is composed of members of the same company or organization. During festival times, Tiger Dance teams can be seen throughout the day and night practicing and performing in the streets, accompanied by a taiko drummer, a handful of bamboo flute players, and a handful of singers with iron cymbals. Tiger Dance groups will travel along the main streets, entering businesses and sometimes homes, and will perform a short dance to the people inside. This is viewed as a blessing and a favor and the dancers do not expect payment, although a glass of beer, sake, or tea would be readily accepted.
