Kitakami also boasts a site that is reputed to be the grave of the famous Heian period waka poet Izumi Shikibu.
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Another hallmark of the city is Oni Kenbai, a traditional sword dance where the dancers dress as demons, performed during the summer festivals, such as Kitakami Michinoku Traditional Dance Festival.
Three vessels of the Kuma-class of light carriers were appointed for renovation, namely Kitakami, Ōi and Kiso.
From the end of August 1943 to the end of January 1944, Ōi and Kitakami made four troop transport runs from Singapore and Penang to the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.