Changes

Japanese dance, as we know it today, is an amalgamation of five original, separate dance forms. Foremost amongst these is the ''kagura'' (<font size=3>神楽</font>), the ritualistic dancing and music associated with the [[Shinto]] faith, which still forms the basis of [[Shrine]] festivals (<font size=3>祭り</font> ''matsuri'') today.  

Japanese dance, as we know it today, is an amalgamation of five original, separate dance forms. Foremost amongst these is the ''kagura'' (<font size=3>神楽</font>), the ritualistic dancing and music associated with the [[Shinto]] faith, which still forms the basis of [[Shrine]] festivals (<font size=3>祭り</font> ''matsuri'') today.  

The earliest imported dance was a form of masked dance-drama called ''gagaku'', (<font size=3>雅楽</font> "Old Japanese court music"), which was bought to [[Japan]] from [[Korea]] in 612 A.D. This was later complimented by the addition of ''bugaku'' (<font size=3>舞楽</font>, "court dancing"), which came into the country from China during the 8^th century. These formed the basis of the entertainment of the Imperial court and the nobility. Around the same time the ''dengaku'' (<font size=3>田楽</font> lit. "field dancing") and ''sarugaku'' (<font size=3>猿楽</font> lit. "monkey dancing") came into vogue as a form of entertainment amongst the Japanese farmer class. The former was derived from a fertility rite, normally performed in the fields before sowing the new crop and the latter was a circus-like performance, also imported from China.

The earliest imported dance was a form of masked dance-drama called ''[[gagaku]]'', (<font size=3>雅楽</font> "Old Japanese court music"), which was bought to [[Japan]] from [[Korea]] in 612 A.D. This was later complimented by the addition of ''bugaku'' (<font size=3>舞楽</font>, "court dancing"), which came into the country from China during the 8^th century. These formed the basis of the entertainment of the Imperial court and the nobility. Around the same time the ''dengaku'' (<font size=3>田楽</font> lit. "field dancing") and ''sarugaku'' (<font size=3>猿楽</font> lit. "monkey dancing") came into vogue as a form of entertainment amongst the Japanese farmer class. The former was derived from a fertility rite, normally performed in the fields before sowing the new crop and the latter was a circus-like performance, also imported from China.

From these various styles, the uniquely Japanese [[Noh theater]] (<font size=3>能楽堂</font> ''nōgakudou''), with its highly formalised and stylistic moves, came into existence during the 14^th century. In turn Noh, which was seen as entertainment for the elite, exerted its own influence on ''[[Kabuki]]'' (<font size=3>歌舞伎</font>) dancing, which became more popular with the growth of the merchant classes during the Edo Period.

From these various styles, the uniquely Japanese [[Noh theater]] (<font size=3>能楽堂</font> ''nōgakudou''), with its highly formalised and stylistic moves, came into existence during the 14^th century. In turn Noh, which was seen as entertainment for the elite, exerted its own influence on ''[[Kabuki]]'' (<font size=3>歌舞伎</font>) dancing, which became more popular with the growth of the merchant classes during the Edo Period.