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 8th 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 14th 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.

==Kabuki==

==Kabuki==

''Sūpā kabuki'' (<font size=3>スーパー歌舞伎</font> "Super Kabuki") is another new innovation within Japanese dance culture, which combines the traditional elements of Kabuki, with modern synthesizer music, innovative lighting and modern stories.

''Sūpā kabuki'' (<font size=3>スーパー歌舞伎</font> "Super Kabuki") is another new innovation within Japanese dance culture, which combines the traditional elements of Kabuki, with modern synthesizer music, innovative lighting and modern stories.

==Also See==

==See also==

* [[Dance]]

* [[Dance]]

* Nojima Jusaburō; Kabuki Jōruri Gedai Yomikata Jiten (歌舞伎浄瑠璃外題読み方事典) Reading Encyclopaedia of Kabuki); Nichigai Associates; 1990  

* Nojima Jusaburō; Kabuki Jōruri Gedai Yomikata Jiten (歌舞伎浄瑠璃外題読み方事典) Reading Encyclopaedia of Kabuki); Nichigai Associates; 1990  

* Fu<i></i>kuchi Yoshihiko; Kabuki Nyūmon (歌舞伎入門 An Introduction to Kabuki); Fujingahōsha; 1995  

* Fu''''kuchi Yoshihiko; Kabuki Nyūmon (歌舞伎入門 An Introduction to Kabuki); Fujingahōsha; 1995  

* Zarina, X; Classic Dances of the Orient; Crown; New York; 1967  

* Zarina, X; Classic Dances of the Orient; Crown; New York; 1967  

* Benito Orolani; The Japanese Theatre: From Shamanistic Ritual to Contemporary Pluralism; Princeton University Press; 1990  

* Benito Orolani; The Japanese Theatre: From Shamanistic Ritual to Contemporary Pluralism; Princeton University Press; 1990  

[[category:Japanese culture]][[category:Dancing]][[category:Art]]

[[Category:Japanese culture]][[Category:Dancing]][[Category:Art]]