略歴（Biography）
茂木真弘（もてぎ まさひろ、1952年 - ） 郷土芸能研究家。栃木県佐野市生まれ。足利工業大学（現・足利大学）卒業。長年にわたり民謡や盆踊り、祭礼など日本各地の郷土芸能を調査・研究し、とりわけ栃木県を中心とする民俗文化の記録・継承に取り組んできた。現地調査と豊富な史料をもとに、地域に受け継がれてきた芸能や風習の歴史的背景をわかりやすく紹介している。代表作『石投げ踊り考』は、日本各地に伝わる「石投げ踊り」の起源や伝播、地域ごとの特色を詳細に考察し、失われつつある民俗芸能の価値を再評価した研究書として注目されている。
Masahiro Motegi (born 1952) is a Japanese researcher of local folk performing arts. Born in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, he graduated from Ashikaga Institute of Technology (now Ashikaga University). He has devoted many years to documenting and studying Japanese folk songs, Bon dances, festivals, and other traditional performing arts, with a particular focus on the cultural heritage of Tochigi Prefecture. Through extensive fieldwork and historical research, he has helped preserve and interpret regional traditions for contemporary readers. His best-known book, "Stone-Throwing Dances" ("Ishinage Odori Ko"), examines the origins, regional variations, and cultural significance of the traditional "stone-throwing dance," highlighting its place in Japan's folk heritage.
