[Contents] [Back] [Next] [Section VII: Kagura Appreciation]
Modern vs. Traditional Kagura In the past few years, Kagura competitions aimed at the promotion and preservation of Kagura have become quite popular. Two types of Kagura are performed each fall at regional competitions: traditional Kagura (Yagami Kagura from Ôchi County, Shimane Prefecture) and modern Takata County Kagura (Asuna Kagura from Shimane Prefecture), which became popular after the war. Kagura competitions play an important role in increasing people's awareness of Kagura and thus serve as a means of preserving it. Competitions also lead to Kagura's improvement. Let's look at an example. In the past, musicians accompanying the dancers would do things like get drunk before performances, wear hand towels as headbands, and stretch out their legs. However, musicians these days wear white robes, warrior's hats, and hakama. If they do not appear in such attire and do not act appropriately at a competition, they get demerit points. Gradually the musicians began to act properly even when performing non-competitively. Properly attired and respectful musicians became a fixed element of Kagura performances. In traditional Kagura, dance steps usually do not match up with the music. Modern Kagura emphasizes harmony between song and dance and is thus more of a pleasure to see and hear. Now we are beginning to see a shift in that direction for traditional Kagura as well. This is not being done with the aim to change traditional Kagura but rather to promote and preserve it. Its foundations are still being strictly preserved. Kagura has adapted to the changing times, due to the influence of modern styles. For this we have to thank the masters in Takata County, who have put so much effort into this endeavor. I first started learning Kagura when I was in the fifth grade. I copied the lyrics directly from a book written only in syllabic script and then memorized them exactly as my seniors sang them. I never understood the meaning of the lyrics. This is how lyrics have been taught for generations, so surely there are many mistakes in the lyric books. Modern Kagura lyrics are much clearer than traditional Kagura lyrics, so the storylines are easier to understand. People often wonder why the lyrics can't be made clearer in the traditional style as well. Originally, the lyrics were clear, but since they had to be memorized, mistakes were made and the meaning was lost. It is thus necessary for members of Kagura groups to understand the meaning behind the lyrics. For performers to dance mechanically using the same mechanical lyrics is the same as a monkey imitating a monkey. There is no refinement in such a performance. Nor does it help to merely slow down the lyrics. 
NPO Hiroshima kagura Art Laboratory |