Iwami Kagura
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Although Iwami Kagura is said to have originated before recent times, the intellectuals of the Bunsei period (1818-1830) added to it myths from the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) and thus, both the variety and number of scenes in the Kagura were increased.
In ancient times, the Kagura was a religious service performed by priests to pacify the hearts of the gods, but from the start of the Meiji Era (1869-1912) it became a thing of the people and came to be performed as a type of folk entertainment.
The Kagura invites the audience into the world of mythology with the vibrant and brisk tempo called Hacchoushi which, accompanied by Taiko drums, both small and large, hand claps and flutes, portrays the remarkable spirit and incomparable heroics of the Iwami people. The Iwami Kagura also displays within its episodes a distinct characteristic in that it is said to be extremely rare for a country style Kagura to have classical lyrics carried with such grace and elegance, but still laced with earthy dialect, and this, along with its charming folklore poetry, makes the Iwami Kagura a truly unique experience.
Since being performed at the Osaka International Exposition, Kagura has had publicly displayed abroad many times, becoming a useful tool for Japans’ cultural exchange activities. Including the Orochi (Giant Evil Serpent) episode, which has received wide acclaim for its enormous scale and dynamic movement, the Iwami Kagura has grown to include 30 various episodes, and although originally intended as a dedicated annual performance, has become a source of pride for local residents and an indispensable part of every festival or celebration that occurs in the Iwami region.
