 The Dance
in Japan
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Dancing in Japan has an exceptionally long history which goes back to
ancient mythological times. The story says: The Goddess Ame no Uzume danced
a comical, lewd dance on an upturned wooden tub. This dance was so comical
that the other gods laughed loudly, causing Amaterasu Omikami to come
out of her hiding place in the Rock-Cave of Heaven, returning light to
the earth. Amaterasu had entered the cave in anger at Susanoo no Mikoto
for insulting her. This dance and the sound it made is the root of Kagura,
Japan's oldest dance form.
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It was originally a dance performed by Shamanistic priestesses in their
rituals. Not only is Kagura the origin of Shamanist and Shinto dances,
but it has influenced theater dancing, especially Kabuki. It can also
be seen in some ancient dances done in southeast Asia, as carried on in
the traditional dances, Utagaki and Kagai. The Stamping Song (Toka) and
the Dengaku dances of Okina and Onna, plus many others, also show the
influence of Kagura.
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Toka came from China in the 8th century, proving once again the origins
of culture in Japan. This Stamping Song was also rather obscene in character,
which goes back to the dance of Ame no Uzume. The ties are there for us
all to see. In the Heian Period, Dengaku, which was originally a fertility
ritual and survives as the Taue Uta in rice planting rituals even today,
became a dance for professionals. Later, it became so popular that it
was danced in the streets to the music of flutes and drums. I have seen
this interesting ritual.
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From the 14th century, a dance called Dengaku-No, using masked actors,
appeared and was performed mostly at Shinto shrines. Also from China,
was the dance Sarugaku, which first appeared in the Heian period (794
- 1191). This dance was the origin of the No drama, which also includes
Dengaku elements. The dance was characterized by serious Buddhist thought.
Thus we have found that Kabuki has a close relationship to Shinto and
Kagura, while No is more closely related to Buddhism.
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Kabuki is foremost "dance," showing the influence of Kyogen, Bunraku
and folk dances. No is more formal, and it is difficult to separate the
dance from other movements on the stage. Kabuki was originated by Izumo
no Okuni, from the Grand Shrine of Taisha, in 1603. Its point of greatest
popularity was in Kyoto. Bunraku (puppet dance) became famous under the
guidance of Uemura Bunrakuken in the 17th century. The No drama was developed
by Kannami Kiyotsugu and his son, Zeami Motokiyo, in the 14th century
and was admired by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. He sponsored them, and they developed
their own type of drama called No, which consists of both dance and music.
That is roughly the history of "dance" in Japan. Some parts have been
skipped over, but the general idea can be understood and appreciated.
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I hope that these articles stimulate some of our young people to develop
an interest in culture and a desire to practice some art, to make sure
it doesn't die out. That would be wonderful!
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