On December 2, 1581, Kai Souun, then Lord of Mifune Castle, defeated Sagara Yoshihi, who was attacking Kosa Castle. The next day, Souun, who had won the battle, dedicated a victory lion dance at Otake Shrine in the Yamaide area. This is said to be the origin of the festival. Since then, the lion dance has been performed annually at the autumn festival of Otake Shrine on October 9. The lion dance features dynamic lion movements as well as acrobatics by monkey characters manipulating strings attached to peony flowers.