On the 60th anniversary of Indo-Japan relations, ICCR along with The Japan Foundation presented the mesmerising and fascinating Shinto Dance performance of Iwami Kagura on December 3.
Iwami Kagura, Shinto’s theatrical dance was originally performed by Shinto priests at the yearly autumn festival as a sign of gratitude to Shinto gods for their help in producing a bountiful harvest. After the Meiji Era, this tradition was handed down from the priests to the common people, moving from a traditional six-beat rhythm to a faster eight-beat rhythm.
People used to dedicate the Kagura-dances and music to praise and entertain their gods.
The first performance of this evening revolved around Jin-rin - the demon. As the king of demons he had wings and flew all over Japan with his troops to kill people.
So King-Chuai, the fifteenth son of Emperor Yamato-Takeru decided to take on Jin-rin himself and defeated him.
To the surprise of the audience, the narrator and director of the dances, Tomaharu Katsuta, shared that the cost of a single demon costume is equal to that of a car!
The second piece was Ebisu.
Ebisu is also known as the God of fishing. The dance is considered auspicious and often performed at wedding ceremonies in Japan.
The third performance of the evening was Orochi. This was the story of Susanou no Mikoto, who was exiled from Heaven Takamagahara.
Once while walking, he found an old couple and a young woman, who were crying by the river. When he asked them why they were so upset, they said that a giant serpent living in the mountains comes and take away their daughters every year.
‘We had eight daughters, but now left with only one. Tonight is the night when the serpent shall return. So, we are very sad.’ So, Susanou decided to fight the gigantic serpent Orochi. He succeeded in killing the monster while it was drunk and sleeping.
Post their colourful and impactful dance, Tomaharu said, “The performances were very well received by the audience. We are very happy and satisfied to have come here and performed.”
After the performance, Dr. Suresh K Goel, DG, ICCR, said, “Kagura is a vibrant folk art form of Japan relating to harvests. This is so similar to the Indian society in which agricultural activities provide the fulcrum of all celebrations. I am confident that the viewers enjoyed the coincidence of ideas between two apparently different art forms.”
Looks like they did too.
Iwami Kagura, Shinto’s theatrical dance was originally performed by Shinto priests at the yearly autumn festival as a sign of gratitude to Shinto gods for their help in producing a bountiful harvest. After the Meiji Era, this tradition was handed down from the priests to the common people, moving from a traditional six-beat rhythm to a faster eight-beat rhythm.
People used to dedicate the Kagura-dances and music to praise and entertain their gods.
The first performance of this evening revolved around Jin-rin - the demon. As the king of demons he had wings and flew all over Japan with his troops to kill people.
So King-Chuai, the fifteenth son of Emperor Yamato-Takeru decided to take on Jin-rin himself and defeated him.
To the surprise of the audience, the narrator and director of the dances, Tomaharu Katsuta, shared that the cost of a single demon costume is equal to that of a car!
The second piece was Ebisu.
Ebisu is also known as the God of fishing. The dance is considered auspicious and often performed at wedding ceremonies in Japan.
The third performance of the evening was Orochi. This was the story of Susanou no Mikoto, who was exiled from Heaven Takamagahara.
Once while walking, he found an old couple and a young woman, who were crying by the river. When he asked them why they were so upset, they said that a giant serpent living in the mountains comes and take away their daughters every year.
‘We had eight daughters, but now left with only one. Tonight is the night when the serpent shall return. So, we are very sad.’ So, Susanou decided to fight the gigantic serpent Orochi. He succeeded in killing the monster while it was drunk and sleeping.
Post their colourful and impactful dance, Tomaharu said, “The performances were very well received by the audience. We are very happy and satisfied to have come here and performed.”
After the performance, Dr. Suresh K Goel, DG, ICCR, said, “Kagura is a vibrant folk art form of Japan relating to harvests. This is so similar to the Indian society in which agricultural activities provide the fulcrum of all celebrations. I am confident that the viewers enjoyed the coincidence of ideas between two apparently different art forms.”
Looks like they did too.
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