The Living Tradition of Art: Iwami Kagura
Iwami Kagura
The tradition of Kagura in Iwami was originally a method of prayer, offering and entertainment to please the deities and ensure a good harvest from the sea and land. The subject of Kagura focuses on many of the myths and legends as found in the Kojiki (“Records of Ancient Matters”, an important document to Japan's ancient past and mythology). Iwami Kagura features gorgeous costumes, lively traditional music and rigorous forms of dance. Within Gotsu City there are roughly twenty theater troops in existence, with various yearly events.
Omoto Kagura of Sakura-e
Sakura-e town has been designated as an important location to the foundation of Omoto Kagura, and is thereby considered an intangible cultural asset. Through the years, the legacy of Omoto Kagura was adopted and adapted through tradition and differing shrine practices. The characteristic to Omoto Kagura is “Takumai,” the transmission of ancient rites through an oracle, an important feature not seen in any other theatrical forms.
