Bugaku Court Dance

The Ancient Court Dance of Bugaku

Throughout the history of Japanese culture, there are many unique and refined art forms that have survived over many centuries. One of the oldest and most famous examples is the ancient Japanese court dance of Bugaku. Originated in 7th century Japan, Bugaku, along with the Gagaku, the classical Japanese court music, has carved its place into history as one of the longest surviving traditional performance pieces. It’s perseverance serves as a symbol of the importance of music and art in a countries lineage. From its introduction into Japanese society, to the contemporary evolution of art from the East, Bugaku and Gagaku continue to stand as pillar of historical and artistic relevance.

The beginning of much of

The first, Kuniburi no utamai, is the native Shinto religious music used to show honor and worship of Buddhism.() This is followed by Komagaku, which was inspired by Korean/Manchurian influence.() It was specifically named after Koma, one of the three major kingdoms of ancient Korea, which was positioned in the Northern and central areas.() The final part, Togaku, was created using Tang Dynasty form, which was an expansion of art and culture due to technological advancements in a newly unified China.() These major musical imports set the foundation for how Gagaku would be utilized once paired with

One of the easiest ways to classify the style or character of the dances is through four major genres, which dictate the movement and purpose of any particular dance. Bun-no-mai dances contain the largest selection of any genre, serving as the dances of noble figures and civil officials.() Ideas of elegance and refinement were conveyed through abstract movements that are performed by a company of four to six dancers and a large majority of Bun-no-mai contains no dramatic elements which allows for the dance to stand alone. Defined distinctly by Confucianism, Bu-no-mai are the military class dances. The stories of Bu-no-mai dances are often used to tell historical epics and use broader movements to help with exaggeration. Dancers for Bu-no-mai will often carry weapon, usually a sword. Hashiri-mai is a more advanced form of Bugaku dance, commonly referred to as the “running dance”. These complex dances are typically performed in duets, though there are exceptions with some being solo or four person dances. Containing very dramatic with luxurious robes, masks and settings, dancers would often perform many special movements for Hashiri-mai that are far beyond the basic techniques of Bugaku. Finally, there are Dobu dances, which are performed by children to symbolize youth, innocence and purity. Dobu is very similar to Hashiri-mai, with several pieces crossing over