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BEST JAPAN DANCERS PROFILES
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It is said that
the history of Japanese dancing goes
back to the mythical age. A famous
Japanese myth tells us that Amenouzume
no Mikoto danced in front of the Amano Iwato to open
the cave entrance that Amaterasu Ohmikami
had concealed herself in. The 'kagura'
dancing in its
religious
and mystical
influence is said to have came into existence from
this story.
It can be said that
Kabuki and Japanese dancing
used to be synonymous. Later, however, the Okuni
Kabuki was played by prostitutes and was
passed down from generation to generation. During
the Edo period, it was prohibited
because it was thought to be might be immoral. Irregardless
of this suppression, kabuki passed
down form generation to generation while changing
dance style.
Even though it has
changed to the dramatic performance
of today, the posturing of Japanese dancing,
the vocalization of traditional Japanese music
and the stage presentation has been preserved carefully.
Furthermore the training and endowment of Japanese
dancing has been essential basis of Kabuki
Theater.
From then the accompaniment
of music progressed. Gradually the
element of story-telling performance became the focus
of the performance. Many performances based on authentic dance
news accounts were
written. It was the evidence
of shosagoto in Kabuki
that illustrated the use of Japanese dancing
by choreographers and directors
of Kabuki.
Best Japan Dancers
Ami Suzuki
Kazuo Ohno
Maki Kawamura
Minako Seki
Motofuji Akiko
Namie Amuro
Nana Masuda
Riyo Mori
Sakura Sena
Sally Yoshino
Shino Mori
Ushio Amagatsu
Yoko Morishita
Yuriko Kajiya
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