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Kagura

Kagura is a traditional Shinto ritual dance and musical performance, encompassing instrumental music, songs, and dances dedicated to entertaining the kami, or Shinto deities.^[1] Performed primarily at shrines and imperial courts, it serves as a ceremonial offering to invoke divine presence and ensure communal harmony.^[2] The term kagura, meaning "entertainment of the gods" or "music for the gods," originates from ancient shamanistic practices in Japan, where dances symbolically reenact myths to bridge the human and divine realms.^[3]^[1] Historically, kagura traces its roots to prehistoric and protohistoric Japan, evolving from a synthesis of indigenous Shinto beliefs with elements of Buddhism and Taoism, and was formalized in the imperial repertoire by the 8th century.^[3]^[1] Early performances involved ritual implements like the suzu bells, shaken by female shrine attendants known as miko, who wear traditional white robes and Heian-period hairstyles to embody purity and antiquity.^[1] By the Heian period (794–1185), specific dances such as the torimono had become integral to court ceremonies, emphasizing purification and divine communion.^[4] Kagura encompasses diverse types, broadly categorized into mikagura (court performances) and satokagura (shrine and village folk variants), with over 100 regional styles identified, including energetic dances like dake kagura focused on fertility and masked performances such as shishi kagura featuring lion dances.^[3] These performances often include poetic recitations of myths, flute and string music from instruments like the yamatogoto, and shamanistic elements like mask-wearing to channel kami.^[2]^[3] In contemporary practice, kagura remains a vital part of Shinto festivals, preserving cultural heritage while adapting to local traditions, such as the yamabushi kagura associated with mountain ascetics.^[3] The significance of kagura lies in its role as a magico-religious rite that facilitates spiritual purification and communal celebration, often involving temporary possession by deities during rituals.^[3] Instruments and costumes, including sacred bells and masks, underscore its antiquity and function as conduits for divine energy, ensuring the rites' efficacy in honoring the kami.^[1]^[3] Through these performances, kagura continues to embody Japan's indigenous spiritual traditions, linking ancient rituals to modern observances at sites like the Miwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture.^[1]

Fundamentals

Definition and Etymology

Kagura is a genre of Shinto ritual dance that serves as a ceremonial performance to entertain, invoke, or appease the kami, the deities central to Shinto belief, often incorporating elements of music, song, and movement to facilitate spiritual communion, trance states, and purification rituals.^[5]^[6]^[7] These performances typically invite the kami into a sacred space, where dancers—frequently shrine maidens known as miko—embody divine presence through stylized gestures and rhythmic accompaniment.^[5]^[8] The term kagura derives from ancient Japanese linguistic roots, as a corruption of kamukura, meaning "seat of the god" or referring to a divine abode where deities are honored.^[5]^[6] This etymology underscores the ritual's purpose of providing a symbolic space for the kami, evolving from phrases denoting divine seating or amusement in early texts like the Kojiki.^[5] Over time, the word has also come to imply "god-entertainment," reflecting the performative aspect of pleasing the deities through artistic expression.^[8] Kagura is distinct from other Shinto elements such as norito, which are formal liturgical prayers recited by priests to invoke blessings or offer supplications without physical performance.^[9] It also differs from bugaku, a courtly dance form influenced by continental Asian traditions and accompanied by gagaku orchestral music, emphasizing pantomimic movements and instrumental focus rather than the shamanic, vocal, and indigenous ritual character of kagura.^[10]^[11] While bugaku represents refined imperial artistry, kagura remains a vital, localized Shinto practice rooted in spiritual invocation.^[5]

Religious and Cultural Significance

Kagura holds profound religious significance within Shinto practice, primarily functioning to invoke the kami—divine spirits—for blessings such as prosperity and protection, while warding off malevolent forces and ensuring successful agricultural harvests.^[12] These rituals often incorporate shamanistic elements, where performers enter trance-like states known as kamigakari (divine possession) to channel the kami's presence, facilitating spiritual purification through symbolic reenactments of mythological events.^[12] Historically, such performances were led by miko (shrine maidens), who served as intermediaries between the human and divine realms, embodying the trance to deliver oracles and cleanse participants of impurities.^[13] In its cultural role, kagura fosters communal harmony by uniting villagers in shared rituals during matsuri (Shinto festivals), where the dance acts as a collective offering that reinforces social bonds and renews community identity.^[14] As a vital component of these events, it bridges the sacred and secular, transforming everyday gatherings into moments of spiritual communion that promote peace and mutual support among participants.^[13] This integrative function highlights kagura's enduring value in preserving oral traditions, as narratives of local folklore and divine interactions are transmitted through generations via these performances.^[14] Furthermore, kagura's influence extends to broader Japanese arts, notably shaping the development of Noh theater through its ritualistic dances, music, and themes of divine manifestation, which evolved from shamanic rites into stylized dramatic forms.^[15] By embedding Shinto cosmology into performative expression, kagura not only sustains cultural heritage but also underscores the interplay between ritual and artistic innovation in Japanese society.^[12]

Origins and Historical Development

Mythological Foundations

The mythological foundations of kagura are rooted in ancient Shinto narratives recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE), which depict ritual dances as essential acts to restore cosmic harmony and engage the divine realm.^[16] The central myth involves the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami, who, enraged by her brother Susanoo-no-Mikoto's disruptive behavior, retreats into the Ama-no-Iwato cave, plunging the world into darkness and chaos.^[17] To coax her out, the gods assemble and enlist Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, who performs an improvisational dance marked by rhythmic foot-stamping on an overturned tub, the shaking of bells, and the bold exposure of her body, eliciting laughter from the assembled deities and curiosity from Amaterasu, who emerges to restore light and order.^[16] This episode, described with vivid detail in both texts—though the Nihon Shoki tones down some explicit elements—establishes dance as a shamanic tool for divine pacification and cosmic renewal.^[17] Related creation myths extend these themes to narratives of divine assembly and territorial pacification, particularly in Izumo-related stories from the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. In the Kuniyuzuri myth, gods such as Takemikazuchi-no-Kami gather at Izumo to negotiate the land's cession from the earthly deity Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto to the heavenly realm, symbolizing the integration of local powers into the imperial divine order through ritual acts of submission and harmony.^[18] These assemblies often invoke performative elements akin to dance for invoking and appeasing kami, as seen in broader Shinto cosmogonic tales where deities like Izanagi and Izanami perform ritual movements during creation or purification rites to stabilize the world.^[19] Such myths portray dance not merely as entertainment but as a sacred mechanism to convene the kami and resolve conflicts, mirroring kagura's role in facilitating divine-human interactions. These foundational myths interpret kagura as a mimetic ritual that reenacts divine performances to perpetuate harmony between humans and kami, emphasizing entertainment as a conduit for spiritual equilibrium. Ame-no-Uzume's dance, often viewed as a form of sympathetic magic and spirit possession, exemplifies how human performers emulate godly actions to invoke presence and avert disorder, a pattern echoed in Izumo assemblies where rituals entertain and bind the pantheon.^[16] Scholars analyze this as establishing kagura's enduring function: a theatrical invocation that bridges realms, ensuring prosperity and averting calamity through stylized reenactment of primordial events.^[17]

Evolution Across Eras

Kagura's documented history begins in the 8th century, emerging as a ritual performance in imperial court ceremonies deeply rooted in shamanistic practices, with the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki providing the mythological foundations for these dances.^[18] The earliest historical evidence of kagura performances dates to the Nara period (710–794 CE), marking the transition from oral shamanistic traditions to formalized Shinto expressions often tied to purification and harvest prayers.^[20] During the Heian (794–1185 CE) and Muromachi (1336–1573 CE) periods, kagura underwent significant formalization within imperial courts, integrating elements of Chinese-influenced gagaku music introduced via the establishment of the Gagaku-ryō bureau in 701 CE.^[21] This synthesis elevated kagura from purely shamanistic rites to structured performances accompanied by orchestral ensembles, spreading from the capital to local shrines as Shinto institutions proliferated.^[22] Shamanistic improvisation declined in favor of choreographed dances symbolizing mythological narratives, such as the Ame-no-Uzume's dance to lure the sun goddess from her cave. By the late Muromachi era, regional adaptations began appearing, blending courtly elegance with emerging folk influences amid feudal instability. From the Edo period (1603–1868 CE) onward, kagura proliferated as folk variants amid urbanization and shrine networks, with local communities adopting simplified, narrative-driven performances for festivals and village cohesion.^[13] Priests disseminated these forms across rural Japan, incorporating theatrical elements from Noh theater studied in urban centers like Kyoto during the early 17th century.^[18] The Meiji Restoration (1868) briefly disrupted traditions through state Shinto reforms separating religion from Buddhism, yet kagura persisted among villagers as a cultural anchor. Post-World War II, amid occupation-era restrictions on religious activities, kagura experienced a revival linked to cultural nationalism, evolving into preserved communal arts with over 130 active troupes in regions like Shimane by the late 20th century.^[23] Key modern milestones include UNESCO inscriptions: Hayachine Kagura in 2009 for its masked ritual dances in Iwate Prefecture, and Chichibu Yomatsuri, the autumn festival of floats and kagura, in 2016, recognizing their role in community heritage.^[24]^[25]

Forms of Kagura

Mikagura

Mikagura, meaning "imperial kagura," represents the most formal and sacred variant of kagura, a Shinto ritual performance of music and dance dedicated to the kami (deities). It is primarily conducted at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, as well as major shrines such as Ise Jingū and the Kamo Shrines in Kyoto, serving as symbolic reenactments in imperial rituals to express gratitude and supplication.^[26]^[27] Formalized in the late 11th century during the reign of Emperor Shirakawa, mikagura embodies the pinnacle of courtly Shinto traditions, performed exclusively by trained musicians from the Imperial Household Agency's Music Department.^[26] The structure of mikagura centers on a repertoire originally comprising 26 sacred songs, or utamai, which has been streamlined over time to 12 principal chants, forming a complete suite that unfolds over approximately six hours.^[26]^[28] These chants, such as Niwabi, Senzai, and Achime, are intoned in strict unison by the performers, emphasizing ritual precision without individual variation. Annual performances occur during key events, including the Niiname-sai, an imperial harvest thanksgiving rite held in November, as well as the Kōrei-sai in mid-December at the Imperial Palace—a tradition dating back to 1002—and the Daijōsai enthronement ceremonies.^[26]^[27] Additionally, it features in the Shikinen Sengū, the periodic rebuilding of Ise Jingū every 20 years.^[27] Mikagura is accompanied by the gagaku orchestra, Japan's ancient court ensemble, utilizing instruments like the yokobue (a transverse flute), hichiriki (double-reed oboe), and biwa (four-stringed lute) to create a resonant, ethereal soundscape.^[26] The dance, known as mai, features slow, deliberate movements that convey dignity and reverence, with performers clad in traditional robes executing stylized gestures to invoke divine presence.^[26] Historically, mikagura was an exclusive rite reserved for the imperial nobility and court elites, performed within the secluded Naishidokoro shrine at the palace and shielded from public view to preserve its sanctity.^[26]^[27] This seclusion persisted until the Meiji era (beginning 1868), when the court's relocation to Tokyo and broader modernization efforts gradually opened aspects of the tradition to wider audiences, though core performances remain under imperial auspices.^[26]

Shinji Kagura

Shinji kagura refers to ritual kagura performances conducted at Shinto shrines as part of sacred ceremonies (shinji), bridging the formal courtly mikagura and the folk satokagura. These are typically more solemn and focused on purification and invocation at major shrines like Ise Jingū and Kamo Shrines, often involving miko dances and gagaku accompaniment to honor specific kami during festivals or dedications.^[29] Unlike village variants, shinji kagura maintains closer ties to imperial traditions while adapting to shrine-specific myths and rites.

Satokagura

Satokagura, also known as village kagura, encompasses a wide array of folk dance performances conducted at local Shinto shrines across Japan, distinct from the courtly rituals of imperial settings. These performances serve purposes such as expressing gratitude for harvests, conducting exorcisms to ward off misfortune, and celebrating seasonal festivals, thereby integrating sacred devotion with communal gatherings. Originating in the Heian period (794–1185), satokagura evolved from mikagura— the formalized dances of the imperial palace— as court musicians and priests disseminated the practice to provincial shrines, adapting it to regional customs during the medieval era when it proliferated among rural communities.^[30] Satokagura manifests in several distinct subtypes, each reflecting localized interpretations of Shinto ritual dance. Miko kagura involves choreographed dances by shrine maidens (miko), drawing from ancient shamanistic traditions where performers once entered trances to channel divine spirits, now stylized for ceremonial purity. Yutate kagura features purification rites centered on boiling sacred water, often incorporating masked skits with deities like Okina to symbolize renewal and cleansing. Shishi kagura employs lion (shishi) mask dances to expel evil influences, sometimes blending with yamabushi ascetic performances that include acrobatic elements and narrative plays. Daikagura represents expansive, itinerant troupes originating from Ise Shrine priests who traveled to deliver lion dances and juggling acts, evolving into professional ensembles that combined ritual with public spectacle by the Edo period.^[30] In its social function, satokagura is typically enacted by local villagers, shrine priests, or itinerant professionals during matsuri (festivals), fostering community cohesion through a fusion of religious observance and lighthearted entertainment, frequently infused with comedic interludes to engage audiences. This participatory form reinforces social bonds and cultural continuity, allowing participants to invoke divine protection while providing accessible amusement beyond elite imperial contexts. A prominent example is Hayachine Kagura from Iwate Prefecture, inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, which features an all-night sequence of twelve masked dances—six ritualistic, five narrative, and one climactic lion portrayal—performed to honor the mountain deity and demonstrate communal endurance.^[24]^[30]

Performance Elements

Dance Movements and Styles

Kagura dance encompasses two primary styles: mai, characterized by slow, circular, and meditative movements that facilitate preparation and trance induction, and odori, featuring fast, leaping, and dynamic actions often associated with possession states.^[12]^[31] In mai, dancers perform elegant swaying and circling steps, typically executed by shrine maidens (miko) to invoke spiritual focus, while odori involves energetic vertical jumps and spontaneous expressions of divine energy, reflecting shamanic elements preserved in the choreography.^[12] These styles draw from mythological foundations, such as the circular dances mimicking Ame-no-Uzume's ritual to lure the sun goddess.^[31] Key techniques in kagura include stamping, which purifies the ground and mimics thunder or pacifies earth spirits through rhythmic footwork, often in patterns like right-left-right or ta-ta-ta.^[31] Hand gestures symbolize offerings and invoke magical efficacy, such as trembling motions to represent possession or mudras with clasped hands and gohei wands for exorcism and prayer.^[12]^[31] Processional formations add structure, with dancers moving in lines or circles to enact mythological narratives, incorporating steps like yō no ashi (heel-first for yang energy) and in no ashi (toe-first for yin balance), alongside deep knee bends (ashi koshi) for grounded stability.^[31] Variations in dance styles distinguish mikagura from satokagura: mikagura emphasizes elegant restraint and refined, courtly movements in imperial or shrine settings, focusing on ritual purity without acrobatics.^[13] In contrast, satokagura incorporates vigorous, acrobatic elements, such as high leaps, spins, and dynamic lion mask handling in folk performances, blending shamanic intensity with theatrical flair for community entertainment.^[13]^[31] These differences highlight mikagura's solemn, trance-oriented choreography versus satokagura's energetic, narrative-driven sequences.^[12] Training for kagura dancers occurs through oral transmission within shrine maiden (miko) lineages or community troupes, prioritizing spiritual discipline and stamina over technical perfection.^[31] Practitioners, often starting at ages 8-10, learn via master-disciple relationships and ascetic practices like prolonged purification rituals, progressing from basic mai forms to complex odori routines through repetitive, embodied instruction.^[12]^[31] This method fosters intuitive synchronization with ritual rhythms, ensuring the dance's sacred intent endures across generations.^[13]

Music and Accompaniment

In mikagura, the imperial form of kagura performed at the imperial court, the music draws from gagaku traditions and features wind instruments such as the yokobue (a transverse flute, also known as kagurabue) and the hichiriki (a double-reed oboe-like instrument), which provide melodic lines and piercing tones to accompany ritual dances.^[32]^[33]^[34] These instruments, often combined with percussion like the kakko (small drum) and shōko (gong), create a stately, layered soundscape that emphasizes harmony and solemnity.^[32] In contrast, satokagura, the folk variant performed at local shrines, employs more rustic instrumentation, including taiko drums for powerful percussive rhythms, transverse flutes such as the yokobue or shinobue for melody, and percussion like cymbals (dobyoshi or chochigane) and bells (suzu) to support call-and-response vocal patterns and drive trance-like states during communal rituals.^[35]^[11] Rhythms in satokagura often feature repetitive, driving beats from drums that sync with dancers' movements, while mikagura incorporates chant-like utai vocals—declamatory singing derived from ancient songs—that narrate mythological episodes in a measured, non-melodic style.^[36] The musical framework of kagura evolved through the integration of Chinese influences in the early gagaku of the 8th century, when continental instruments and scales were adapted into Japanese court rituals, blending with indigenous chants to form the basis of mikagura accompaniment.^[37] Regional adaptations, such as those in Izumo traditions, emphasize distinctive flute melodies that evoke local myths, with elongated, improvisational phrases on the yokobue heightening the ritual's atmospheric intensity.^[5]^[36] Kagura music plays a pivotal role in inducing spiritual ecstasy and invoking kami (deities), with specific tunes directly linked to foundational myths, such as the lively, seductive melody accompanying the reenactment of Ame-no-Uzume's dance to lure Amaterasu from her cave, symbolizing the restoration of light and order.^[36] These compositions, through their rhythmic propulsion and vocal invocations, facilitate a trance state for performers and spectators, bridging the human and divine realms during Shinto ceremonies.^[5]

Costumes, Masks, and Props

In kagura performances, costumes play a crucial role in embodying the divine presence of the kami, with designs varying between the elaborate imperial styles of mikagura and the more practical folk attire of satokagura. In mikagura, associated with court rituals, performers often wear flowing layered robes reminiscent of jūnihitoe for female roles, crafted from fine silk to signify nobility and purity, while male performers don sokutai ensembles with wide-sleeved jackets and hakama skirts.^[38] These garments incorporate symbolic colors such as white, representing purity and sanctity in Shinto tradition, and red, evoking vitality and protection against malevolent forces.^[39] In contrast, satokagura features simpler kimono or hakama made from durable fabrics like cotton or washi-derived materials, often in white bases accented with red for miko (shrine maidens), who typically perform in these roles to channel spiritual energy.^[40] Masks and headgear further transform performers into kami or mythical beings, enhancing the ritual's symbolic depth, particularly in satokagura forms like shishi kagura. Wooden masks, carved from lightweight paulownia or cypress wood using chisels and natural pigments such as black ink, red oxide, and mineral colors, depict deities, demons, or animals; for instance, the lion heads in shishi kagura are intricately sculpted to embody protective spirits.^[18] In regional traditions like Iwami kagura, masks are fashioned from layered Sekishu washi paper pasted over clay molds, dried, and painted, a process taking about one month per piece to create durable, expressive faces with features like gaping mouths for demons.^[41] Headgear includes crowns, eboshi hats, or red shaguma wigs in Izumo kagura, often paired with headbands to denote noble or divine status.^[18] These elements are handmade by local artisans, emphasizing craftsmanship that bridges human artistry and spiritual invocation. Props, known as torimono, serve both narrative and ritual functions, accentuating movements and invoking purification. Gohei wands—wooden staffs adorned with white shide (zigzag paper streamers)—are essential for sweeping away impurities, waved by performers to sanctify the space and audience.^[42] Other symbolic items include fans and bells for rhythmic emphasis, sakaki branches for offerings, and references to myths like swords or mirrors alluding to Amaterasu's emergence, often carried in processions. In performances such as Izumo kagura, props like flutes, bows, or serpent bodies (up to 17 meters long in Iwami style, constructed from washi over bamboo frames weighing 12 kg) directly illustrate mythological episodes, handmade to ensure ritual authenticity.^[18]^[41] Gender distinctions appear in prop use, with miko frequently handling gohei or fans in white attire to symbolize feminine spiritual mediation.^[40]

Regional Variations and Modern Practice

Key Regional Traditions

Izumo-ryū Kagura, a prominent style originating in the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture, features myth-based dances enacted to entertain the gods during their annual assembly at Izumo Taisha Shrine. These performances draw from ancient narratives in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, including tales of divine creation and heroic deeds, with over 30 distinct dances that often emphasize themes of demon-subduing, such as Susanoo-no-Mikoto's battle against the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi.^[18]^[43] The tradition incorporates ritual purification segments like shichiza and shikisanba, followed by more theatrical shinno dances influenced by Noh theater, and is sustained by more than 200 active community groups across the region.^[18] In western Shimane, Iwami Kagura represents a vibrant theater-dance hybrid, distinguished by its elaborate large masks depicting yōkai spirits and deities, along with heavy, ornate costumes that can weigh up to 60 kilograms.^[44] These dynamic performances, accompanied by fast-paced flute, drum, and cymbal music, portray mythological stories and supernatural encounters during community festivals, fostering social bonds and spiritual protection.^[45] The style's emphasis on expressive mask work and vigorous movements highlights local adaptations for engaging large audiences in rural settings. Bitchū Kagura, practiced in the western Okayama Prefecture region known as Bitchū, consists of ritual dances rooted in ancient Shinto beliefs, performed to honor deities and invoke blessings for the community.^[46] This tradition, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, features ethereal and dynamic movements often enacted by local groups during shrine festivals, reflecting the area's historical agrarian lifestyle.^[47] Sada Shin Noh in Shimane Prefecture blends elements of kagura with Noh theater, presenting a series of sacred purification dances during the annual Gozakae ritual at Sada Shrine on September 24 and 25.^[48] Performers, clad in white robes, execute stylized movements to rhythmic chants and drumbeats, reenacting divine myths to renew the shrine's sacred mats and ensure spiritual harmony; this practice was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.^[48] Regional kagura traditions often adapt to local geography and culture, such as in Hayachine Kagura from Iwate Prefecture, where masked dances honoring the mountain deity incorporate endurance-testing performances near Mt. Hayachine's rugged terrain, symbolizing the community's resilience.^[24] Chants and songs in these variants frequently employ regional dialects, preserving linguistic nuances that enhance the ritual's intimacy and tie performances to specific locales.^[5]

Contemporary Performances and Preservation

In contemporary Japan, Kagura performances are integrated into annual festivals at major Shinto shrines, such as the Autumn Kagura Festival at Ise Jingu's Inner Shrine, held from September 22 to 24 each year, featuring ritual dances dedicated to the deities.^[49] Urban revivals have brought Kagura to city centers, including weekly performances by rural troupes in Hiroshima since the early 2010s, where approximately 300 groups rotate to stage 45-minute plays for local and visiting audiences.^[50] In Tokyo, the Daidai Kagura ritual at Shinagawa Shrine continues as an annual event, recognized as a Tokyo Intangible Cultural Property, with masked dances and drum accompaniment performed to honor the gods.^[51] Post-2000s tourism-driven shows, particularly in Hiroshima, have adapted Kagura for international visitors through venues like the Prefectural Art Museum, offering English subtitles and post-performance interactions to make the ritual accessible beyond traditional contexts.^[52] Preservation efforts have gained international recognition through UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage listings, including Hayachine Kagura in 2009, a masked dance series from Iwate Prefecture performed at the Hayachine Shrine to recount mythological stories with drum, cymbal, and flute accompaniment.^[24] Similarly, Sada Shin Noh, a sacred dance form at Sada Shrine in Shimane linked to the ancient Izumo Kagura tradition, was inscribed in 2011, featuring ritual purification dances enacted on September 24 and 25 to invoke divine blessings.^[48] Domestically, Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs supports these initiatives by subsidizing the protection of intangible cultural properties, including folk performing arts like Kagura, through grants for transmission, training, and community events to ensure continuity.^[53] Despite these measures, Kagura faces significant challenges from an aging performer base and declining youth participation, as rural depopulation and modern lifestyles reduce the number of trainees in regions like Hokkaido, where revitalization projects highlight the risk of tradition loss.^[54] Adaptations to address this include international outreach, such as guided Kagura performance tours in Shimane Prefecture during the 2020s, which immerse global visitors in rehearsals and shows to foster appreciation and potential sponsorship.^[55] Some urban presentations incorporate multimedia elements like subtitles for non-Japanese speakers, while efforts in Hiroshima extend to experiential programs allowing audiences to try costumes, broadening appeal without altering core rituals.^[56] Looking ahead, Kagura plays a vital role in cultural education, with school-based programs since 2000 teaching dances to cultivate local identity and patriotism, as seen in community clubs dedicated to its protection.^[13] Amid Japan's secularization, these practices contribute to Shinto revival by embedding mythological narratives in modern festivals and tourism, reinforcing spiritual connections for younger generations through interactive heritage experiences.^[57]

References

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[25]
Mikagura at Court and Shrine - Category
This ceremony involves the performance of the dozen or so pieces of the complete mikagura suite. At present it is held at the Imperial Palace in mid-December at ...Missing: instruments structure
[26]
Voice - Gagaku music
It is composed of 26 chants including, among others, Niwabi, Achime, Karakami, Hayakarakami, Komomakura, Sazanami, Senzai, Hayauti, Hoshi, Asakura, and ...Missing: Niiname- sai yokobue
[27]
https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/dglib/contents/learn/edc22/en/category/utamai/mi1.html
[28]
A Study of the Japanese Ritual Dance of Yamabushi Kagura
The paper illustrates key kagura dances including shiki mai, yama no kami mai, and gongen mai. These dances reflect different facets of mountain deities and the ...
[29]
Gagaku (Japanese Imperial Court Music and Dance) - 宮内庁
Gagaku is performed at several court functions at the Imperial Palace, at State Dinners and on the occasion of the Spring and Autumn Garden Parties.
[30]
The Transverse Flutes, Ryūteki, Komabue, and Kagurabue - Category
Three yokobue (transverse flutes), reedless flutes of different sizes and timbres, are used in gagaku: the ryūteki, ('dragon flute'), komabue ('Korean flute'), ...
[31]
The Reedpipe Hichiriki - Category
The hichiriki is a reedpipe made of bamboo, with a double reed inserted into a body held horizontally. It is used in almost all of the sub-genres of gagaku, ...Missing: kagura | Show results with:kagura
[32]
[PDF] music
Village kagura may be heard on the occasion of festivals, when musicians accompany their songs on transverse flutes and a variety of drums.
[33]
Typology of Musical Structures in the Japanese Shintô Ritual "Kagura"
between the courtly and "village" types?mikagura and sato kagura?designating as it were the sphere of competence of musicologists by this distinction. My ...
[34]
Gagaku in Medieval Japanese Religion - MDPI
Typically, Kagura can also be divided into two general types: a ritual involving communication with the gods, and a performance related to some myth or legend ...Missing: norito | Show results with:norito
[35]
Japanese emperor, empress finish enthronement-related ceremonies
Empress Masako, in costume that resembles "junihitoe" ceremonial kimono, followed suit. The Mikagura-no-Gi ceremony was attended by six Imperial family ...
[36]
Symbolic Colors in Japan - Culture
Jan 5, 2020 · White is the symbol of spiritual and physical purity. Festival zones are marked with red and white stripes. Red color scare away evil spirits. + ...Missing: kagura vitality kami
[37]
Miko Shrine Maidens: Japan's Traditional Shinto Priestesses
Jun 14, 2024 · In ancient times, miko were considered powerful religious and political figures, wielding significant influence in Japanese society. They ...
[38]
Iwami Kagura -Dancing for the Gods - Japan House London
Historically masks used in Iwami Kagura performances were made from wood. Today the masks are created by pasting tiny pieces of ripped washi onto a clay mold, ...Missing: props | Show results with:props
[39]
Shinto Ritual in words and Pictures - Nihon Bunka Japanese Culture
The wand or harai gushi (sweeping squewer/stick) that the priest is holding is a wooden pole to which is attached a great many of the zigzag strips mentioned ...
[40]
What is Kagura? Complete Guide to Japanese Sacred Dance ...
Jul 22, 2024 · Unlike secular entertainment, Kagura serves specific religious functions: purification (chinkon), divine communication, agricultural blessing, ...Missing: trance | Show results with:trance
[41]
Iwami-kagura: The changing face of a Shimane theatrical tradition
... Iwami for more than 1,300 years and was listed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2014. “Iwami-kagura costumes can weigh up to 60 kilograms ...
[42]
Iwami Kagura | Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization
Fast, exciting, colorful and dynamic, Iwami Kagura is an unforgettable kind of masked dance-theater unlike anything you have seen before.
[43]
Bicchu Kagura | Attraction | OKAYAMA Convention Guide
This ethereal and dynamic dance form was nurtured during the long and storied history of the Bicchu region of western Okayama Prefecture.
[44]
Bitchu Kagura (Nariwasha) - MICE
This is a Kagura dance handed down in the Bitchu region in western Okayama Prefecture, which has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural ...
[45]
Sada Shin Noh, sacred dancing at Sada shrine, Shimane
Sada Shin Noh comprises a series of ritual purification dances performed every year on 24 and 25 September at the Sada Shrine in Matsue City, Shimane ...
[46]
Autumn Kagura Festival at the Inner Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine - iwafu
Sep 22, 2025 · - The festival will be held from Monday, September 22, 2025, to Wednesday, September 24, 2025, with performances at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
[47]
Wednesday Night Kagura | Get Hiroshima
Oct 22, 2025 · Every Wednesday, one of Hiroshima's approximately 300 Kagura troupes come into the city center from the countryside to perform a 45-minute play.
[48]
Daidai Kagura Ritual 太々神楽 - Go Tokyo
Apr 21, 2025 · Daidai Kagura, a designated Intangible Cultural Property of Tokyo, is a traditional ritual that is performed before Shinto deities.Missing: revivals | Show results with:revivals
[49]
Hiroshima Kagura Returns for 2025!
Jun 25, 2025 · A regular Kagura performance is held in Hiroshima City every Wednesday at 7:00 pm until December 24. Don't speak Japanese? No problem!Missing: 2000 | Show results with:2000
[50]
[PDF] Protection System for - Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan
In order to protect the intangible cultural heritage, the government of Japan assigns specialists with expert knowledge of the traditional performing arts, ...
[51]
(PDF) The Continuity Of Shinto Theatrical Dance in Aging Society Era
Jun 29, 2024 · The effort has a positive impact on student's awareness of preserving Kagura dance. Some students have joined and become the main members of ...Missing: performers youth disinterest
[52]
Kagura Performance Tour - wondertrunk & co.
As you traverse the length of Shimane Prefecture, you'll gain unparalleled access to this enigmatic world. 4 days / 3 nights. From $2,600 per person.Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
[53]
Quick introduction to Kagura | The Official Guide to Hiroshima
There are various theories about the kagura dance, but one thing that is sure is that comes from the sacred place “Kamikura” where the gods dwells, and the ...
[54]
Explore the origin of Japanese culture throughout training Kagura ...
Sep 25, 2024 · A cultural interaction program for inbound visitors called “The Folklore of KAGURA” that allows participants to “experience a Kagura performer for 5 days”.