Japanese traditional dance
Japanese traditional dance describes a number of Japanese dance styles with a long history and prescribed method of performance. Some of the oldest forms of traditional Japanese dance may be among those transmitted through the kagura tradition, or folk dances relating to food producing activities such as planting rice and fishing, including rain dances. There are large number of these traditional dances, which are often subfixed -odori, -asobi, and -mai, and may be specific to a region or village. Mai and odori are the two main groups of Japanese dances, and the term buyō (舞踊) was coined in modern times as a general term for dance, by combining mai (舞) and odori (踊).
An early photograph of Japanese women in dance pose.
A Renjishi performance
Noh is a stylized dance drama that originated in the 14th century. Performers wear various masks and play the roles of kami, onryō (vengeful spirits), and historical and legendary figures.
Two maiko performing a dance
Nihon-buyō refers to the classical Japanese performing art of dance.
Nakamura Shikan VII in September 1955 in the kabuki-buyō play Kagami-Jishi
Sengiku Bando in the play Noriai bune.
Depiction of the kabuki dance Kyōganoko Musume Dōjōji.
Nakamura Utaemon VI in 1951 in the play Kyōganoko Musume Dōjōji.
