Classical Japanese Theatre: Origins and Performances

• The origins of Japanese theatre can be traced back to the classic text Kojiki, which features a striptease performance by the goddess Ame-no-uzume to lure out the sun goddess Amaterasu.
• In 612, the Korean performer Mimashi introduced gigaku, an elegant entertainment, to the imperial court, which consisted of Buddhist processions and dramatic enactments.
• Gagaku, another type of Japanese performance, arrived via China and Korea and was established in 701 with over 200 court-appointed performers.
• Kagura, considered the oldest extant Shinto theatrical dance in Japan, began as a sacred dance performed at the Imperial court by shrine maidens, who were believed to be descendants of Ame-no-Uzume.
• Performances in Japan have historically taken place in various locations such as Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, riverbanks, entrances of highways, and otabisho (a resting place for deities).
• Nō performance was established around 600 years ago in the 14th century, with the protagonists called the 'shite' and side roles called 'waki'. Female professionals were recognized as professionals in the late 1920s and now represent 10-15% of the professional ranks. Musicians, called hayashi, include a flute, hip-drum, second drum, and stick-drum.
• Nō theatres have had the same dimensions since the 16th century, which were sophisticated for appreciation by higher-ranking people like samurai warriors by Zeami Motokiyo. To play the shite, one must be a man born into the blood lineage of five nō families. Masked actors can bare their faces.

Learn about the origins of Japanese theatre and classical performances, as discussed by Dr. Kyoko Iwaki. Explore the classic text Kojiki and the performance of deities, including the story of the sun goddess Amaterasu.