It is said that the Ebisu daikoku dance, also referred to as medetamai, began around the Horeki era (1751-1764). It is said the tradition was originally passed down among kadozuke saimon geinin (performers who would sing in front of people’s houses and receive money or gifts in return), and it involved going around to houses at the start of the new year and giving performances that included hogigoto (celebratory greetings). Continuing until before World War II, the tradition was handed down among young salt farm workers, who visited and performed at houses around the village between January and April, when the salt farms were not busy. This practice was halted in Showa 30 (1955) for around 10 years, but in Showa 41 (1966), a preservation society was formed, and the dance continued to be performed and passed down after that. In Showa 47 (1972), the dance was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hyogo Prefecture.