Bugaku

He also discusses the ancient instruction manual that describes precisely the refined movements and postures that gagaku and bugaku performers must attain.

Near the cave entrance, the goddess Ame-no-uzume, turned a tub over and started to dance on it in front of the worried assembly of gods.

The imperial family of Japan is said to have descended from Amaterasu and Ame-no-uzume is considered the patron goddess of music and dance.

When Buddhist culture came over to Japan from Korea and China in the seventh century, it brought dance-drama traditions that involved intricate costumes and processions.

Bugaku court dance draws heavily from the Buddhist imported culture, but also incorporates many traditional Shinto aspects.

Tadamaro Ono is a palace musician whose family has been performing for the emperors of Japan for almost twelve hundred years.

Bugaku Imperial Court Dance, 17th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art showing a dance called Soriko .
Some bugaku masks.