On the 21st of this month, I visited Shimane Fair, the exhibition showcasing its tourism, food, and products. There were lots of shops selling Shimane specialties and tourist information booths promoting their own cities. At that time. Kagura was performed by Shimanes’ citizen groups as a special event. Kagura is a traditional Japanese stage show but I did not know it that well. So I researched about its history this time.

What is Kagura?

It is a sacred dance and music to entertain gods specifically dedicate to Shinto gods. Simply put, it is a Japanese musical.

History

The beginning

The origin of the Kagura is the dance performance by Ameno-Uzume to Amaterasu-Omikami. Amaterasu-Omikami is the sun goddess. She hid in the cave because of her outrageous brother. Then the earth became the dark world. Ameno-Uzume and the others danced with music near the cave to get Amaterasu-Omikami out of the cave. Amaterasu-Omikami fascinated fun sounds from the outside and finally opened the door to watch them.

There are two types of Kagura.

1. Kagura Performance at Shinto Rituals

Kagura has been performed at Shinto rituals. It is a solemn ritual performed by Shinto priests. The dance with music are dedicated to gods to give thanks for a plentiful harvest. This type of Kagura is performed in some special shrines nowadays.

2. Kagura Performance as an entertainment

Originally, Kagura is performed by Shinto priests. However, it spread all over Japan and now being performed to entertain people in different places. We can watch this type of Kagura nowadays. It had developed with local cultures on their own. Kagura is said to be an oldest entertainment.

Ban on Kagura after World War II

After WWII, the occupation forces imposed a ban of Kagura in 1945. They thought Japan was the nation whose citizens were very royal to the empire. So they tried to remove all things which were related with empires. The empire at that time had been thought to be a descendant of Amaterasu-Omikami so Kagura was banned for a while. The forces tried to weaken Japan as much as they could.

Current Kagura

During the ban on Kagura, Kagura performers created new Kagura without mythology which were related with gods and empires. They created Kagura stories set in another period especially Heian period. After a while Kagura ban was lifted. Nowadays, foreigners also watch Kagura so it has been changing to entertain not only local but global audiences who do not know Kagura well.

Kagura dances, music, and songs

Lots of Kagura stage plays created based on mythologies written in Kojiki. The setting of the many Kagura is in the ancient gods period. They act, dance, and sing with music. It is like a musical play.

This is a famous story of Yamata no Orochi. It describes that a god busting a big dangerous snake with eight heads.

Kagura Musical Instruments

They perform with Japanese musical instruments such as Japanese Taikos(drum), Japanese flutes, cymbals, and so on.

Kagura Costume

Kagura performers wear ancient Japanese costumes. These are gorgeous and elegant costumes.

Kagura at Shimane Exhibition Fair

Two Shimane’s citizen groups performed Kagura. There are many mythologies set in Shimane Prefecture. Thus, Shimane is called a land of the living ancient gods.

Shimane Exhibition Fair

This time, I was luck to watch Kagura at Shimane Exhibition Fair. I also purchased some Shimane specialties.

The prefecture is next to our Hiroshima Prefecture which is located in the northern part of our Prefecture. Shimane prefecture also has a world heritage site. There are many Kagura performers. It is an interesting prefecture.

If you would like to see Japanese oriental culture. I recommend you to visit Shimane Prefecture.

There are lots of yummy food as well.

Enjoy!