In Japanese classical dances, a dancer interprets the song being played as well dancing along to the music. Nihon Buyo is a form of Japanese dance consisting of theatrical performances. It combines elements from many other Japanese dance forms. For many centuries this dance had been enhanced. It gives the opportunity for the audience to use their imagination in understanding the meaning behind the movements. This dance shows how an individual’s moves reflect culture, emotion, and history. The movements and patterns behind this dance, reveal a great amount of information about the story he or she is trying to portray. Although Nihon Buyo is a traditional art based on very delicate dance and expression, it is also important to know the influences, which shaped these dance form. Many of these influences can be poems, stories, and even other dances, but with modern techniques and gestures.
Nihon Buyo first originated in the 17th century. The history dates back several years ago to the performance of one woman. It is one of Japan’s classical performing dance, along with kabuki movements. It spread widely in Japan. It was not only practiced by professional dancers but also townspeople. Women were mostly at the forefront of keeping this tradition, but men also practiced this dance. This dance was closely tied in with a religious background and performed on stage (Kabuki Theatre). The Kabuki Theatre is known as one of the most popular theatres in Japan today. Many of the performers wore very elaborate makeup. The 19th century is believed as the most popular work in Nihon Buyo. For example, “ a poised woman stands completely motionless, balancing of wisteria flowers over one shoulder… her head rolls in a languid figure-eight and her arms carve delicate shapes through the air” (Rolfe 2). This demonstrates that not only does beautiful movement tells the whole story in Nihon Buyo, but communicating a clear narrative through a unique language.
This dance form began because “ it is to purify the stage and invoke the god’s blessing on the performance that is to take place” (Lanki 1). This means that when the actors perform, the movements are clear and transparent. They are bringing the audience into a different world with a different perspective. Nihon Buyo has been evolving for many reasons. One reason was that this dance was looked down upon on, low culture. In the beginning, many took this is dance as an entertainment, but it was more art than entertainment. In 1904, the playwright, Tsubouchi Shoyo declared that Nihon Buyo should not be looked down as low culture, instead be considered as elevated as the Opera and Ballet in the west. This dance form has a deep connection with kabuki and is strongly influenced by elements of that popular culture. Another reason why this dance began was to pass down Nihon Buyo to different generations and build up the creation of new works. There is still a lot to discover and research on this dance form that can be integrated with past techniques.
During the Edo Period, there was a woman named Izumo no okuni. She was the creator of the Kabuki Theatre. Izumo was known for the beauty and her dancing skills. She would gather all the women and teach them what she was best at dancing, singing, and acting. Izumo dressed in men’s clothes and danced to the accompaniment of the flute and drums. In 1969, all women were banned from the art, that which the men took their place. From there, all male kabuki was established. Kabuki is an influence that shaped this dance form. Kabuki consists of both acting and dancing. There are no scripts, no dialogue. It relies on the actor’s performance to portray the story. For example, the actor can act if they are looking at the sky or the mountains. This allows the audience to imagine what the actor is looking at. There was also a goddess named, Amenouzume-no-mikoto. She committed herself to dance. There would be grass on her dress and hair for decoration. She had bamboo leaves in her hand. Similar styles of the goddess and props are still used in today’s Nihon Buyo.
Many dances are an art form that is made by creating unique movements, which can symbolize many things. Nihon Buyo is a dance where imagination is key. It is important to set aside all negative aspects of life and enter to a new perspective of life. This is where this dance form comes into play. There have been many influences that brought it to where it is now. Kabuki is the significant influence because it was created from kabuki before it became theater. Today it continues to expand with particular creations.