An Invitation to Kagura: Hidden Gem of the Traditional Japanese Performing ArtsRichly illustrated, and based largely on sources inaccessible to the non-Japanese speaker, this book provides a rare glimpse into kagura (Shinto theater), a performance style with roots predating even noh drama. Coverage includes the history of the art; the kagura stage; schools of performance; synopses of plays and ceremonies; movement and choreography; kagura costumes; masks and mask-making; implements, decorations and special effects; the music of kagura; and related folk arts. There are also additional sections with comparative materials on noh and kabuki. A new world of theater awaits... |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Origins of the Art | 13 |
The Space | 43 |
Schools of Performance | 71 |
Kagura Plays and Their Origins | 113 |
Movement and Choreography | 189 |
Costumes | 209 |
Masks | 229 |
Related Folk Arts | 287 |
Postscript | 301 |
General Notes on Reading Japanese | 303 |
List of Major Japanese Eras | 307 |
The Kagura Lineage | 308 |
Maps of Regions Mentioned in the Text | 309 |
Selected TroupesPreservation Societies | 316 |
References | 321 |
Implements Decorations Special Effects | 251 |
The Music of Kagura | 271 |
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An Invitation to Kagura: Hidden Gem of the Traditional Japanese Performing Arts David Petersen No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
actors Adversary Amaterasu Aragami arts Asuna audience bamboo basic battle Bingo Bitchu byakkai called century ceremonies characters chinkon choreography competitions contemporary conventions costume dance dancers decorated demon dengaku downstage drum eastern Shimane Ebisu Edo period emperor example festival Figure flute Geihoku Genji gods gohei Hachiman Heian period hero Hiroshima city Hiroshima prefecture Hyottoko inaugural Itsukushima Shrine Iwami Iwami kagura Izanami Izumo kagura Izumo Taisha Japanese Jinrin kabuki kagura plays Kojiki kyogen Kyoto lead legend mask miko mountain musicians noh theater offer Okayama prefecture Okuni onstage performance pieces prayer wands priests princess props region repertoire represents rites ritual role sacred sakaki scene seat Shimane prefecture shin’kagura shinji Shinto shishi Shoki shrine songs spirits stage story straw style Sun Goddess Susa sword symbol taiko theatrical kagura Tokyo township tradition troupes typical upstage venues village warrior west-central Japan wooden Yagami Yamaguchi prefecture Yamato