神楽 · かぐら · ritual

kagura

Sacred music and dance performed to honor the kami.

Definition

Kagura is a traditional performance art intrinsic to Shinto, involving music, dance, and ritual offerings to appease and connect with the kami. These performances often depict narratives from Japanese mythology and are performed during festivals and shrine ceremonies. Kagura serves both a spiritual and cultural purpose, embodying a form of worship while preserving ancient Japanese artistic expressions and community identity.

Etymology

The word 'kagura' combines 'ka' (god) and 'gura' (enjoyment or music), indicating its divine purpose in worship.