Outline

Dance of the Left Katen

Katen (‘Hall of Felicitation’) is a comparatively slow Dance of the Left characterized by gentle movements, belonging to the category of hiramai (ordinary dances, also called bun-no-mai, civil or literary dances).

It was put together as a dance suite around Katen no kyū, which was brought to Japan by Fujiwara no Sadatoshi (807–67) when he returned from his journey to China on the last official mission to the Tang (838–39).

Both the ha and kyū movements have been transposed from the mode ichikotsuchō (on D) to the mode sōjō (on G), and are favorites in kangen instrumental performance.

With its auspicious name, the dance has often been performed at ceremonies celebrating the completion of a new building.

Structure of the Dance

The accompaniment for the dance as a whole is made up of five sections: 1. Ichikotsuchō no chōshi, performed as an instrumental prelude; 2. Karyōbin no kyū, performed to accompany the entrance of the dancers; 3. Tōkyoku no ha, the ha movement of the ‘piece itself,’ i.e. Katen; 4. Tōkyoku no kyū, the kyū movement of Katen; and 5. Tōkyoku no kyū shigebuki, the kyū movement repeated as the dancers exit.

The dance for the ha movement is slow and quiet, while that for the kyū movement is light and fast, with much variety.

Costume

The kasane-shozoku (‘layered costume’) for this Dance of the Left is in the typical red color. The dancers wear the outer robe (hō) in katakatanugi style, with the robe off the right shoulder and tucked away, so as to reveal the colors and patterns of the layers underneath: the hanpi vest and right sleeve of the shitagasane. The helmet is a distinctive one that is only used for this dance.

Points for appreciation

There is a striking contrast between the slow, quiet dance of the ha movement and the quick, varied dance of the kyū movement. The difference in the rhythms used in the two movements is easy to recognize.

* Katen is also called Kanzenraku (‘Spring of Sweet Water’ or ‘In the Spring,’ as in source of water, not season).
* Kotoriso can also be performed as its ‘answering dance’ of the Right.