The word kagura (神楽) means entertainment of the gods, and it refers to traditional Japanese performances said to reach back to the days when the Shinto gods walked the earth, and Ame-no-Uzume danced to lure fellow goddess Amaterasu out of a cave. To honor the gods, the people of Japan have performed ceremonial kagura dances for well over a thousand years, and the ritual has turned into a thoroughly entertaining style of performance with flashy, colorful costumes, ancient instruments, dramatic dancing, and the storytelling of Japanese myths communicated through song and expressive acting.
In the prefecture of Hiroshima, kagura is so popular that there are currently around 300 kagura troops who get together to perform the songs and dances, including six popular teams based right in Miyoshi. For Shinto festivals and kagura events, these performers travel around the area, bringing with them a collection of traditional Japanese instruments and lavish kagura costumes that look fit for an ancient emperor (or even a legendary dragon). Characters include ancient nobility and mythical creatures, magic-users and dashing heroes, and the stories paint a picture of the Japan found in legends. Part of a tradition kept alive through the ages, the kagura troops arrive on stage to show modern crowds the same mesmerizing works of storytelling and spectacle that have been captivating audiences around Japan for centuries.
While kagura isn’t a regularly scheduled performance anywhere in Miyoshi, special events are often great excuses for the many local kagura teams to assemble and put on an amazing show. Visitors traveling through Miyoshi and the surrounding region should keep an eye out for famous kagura troops performing nearby. Don’t miss the chance to take in all the sights and sounds that are inherent to this unique blend of subtle dance and raucous entertainment, crafted for the gods!
Information
| Title |
