Shinto music


Shinto music is the ceremonial and festive music of Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan. Its origin myth is the erotic dance of Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto which lured Amaterasu from her cave.

Kagura

or 'entertainment of the gods' includes music, dance and poetry and comprises mi-kagura of the court, o-kagura of major shrines such as Ise Jingū, and village sato-kagura.

Forms

The repertoire includes eight forms that may be traced back to the eighth century: kagura-uta, azuma asobi, kume-uta ō-uta, onaibi-uta, ruika, ta-uta, and yamato-uta.

Instruments

Instruments include the Yamatogoto, Fue, hichiriki, suzu, tsuzumi, and shakubyōshi clappers. In local festivals the Kane, binzasara, and taiko may also be found.