Outline

Dance of the Right Komaboko

Komaboko (‘Korean poles’) is a vigorous Dance of the Right of the hiramai (ordinary dance)

category. It is said to depict boatmen of a mission from the Korean kingdom of Koryŏ (918–1392)

using poles painted in five colors to navigate their boat as they enter a Japanese port.

In the past its music was used to accompany the entrance of priests and musicians at large-scale Buddhist ceremonies. It is also used for the Dance of the Right Soriko.

Structure of the Dance

The accompaniment for the dance as a whole is made up of two sections: 1. Ichōshi, an instrumental prelude in the mode koma-ichikotsuchō (on E); and 2. Tōkyoku, the ‘piece itself,’ or Komaboko.

The dancers come onto the stage during Komaboko, and dance with the poles in their hands. Their movements imitate sailors navigating a boat in shallow waters. At the end of the dance, the dancers line up and place the poles on their shoulders, indicating that the boat has arrived safely. The dancers leave the stage as the piece continues.

Costume

The costume for Komaboko is unique to this dance, using a ryōtō tunic edged with brocade, and a light blue outer robe with embroidered roundels depicting squirrels facing each other.

The dancers wear headgear (kanmuri) of the makkō type, with a rolled flap (ken’ei) at the rear and fringed blinders (oikake) at the sides. Their poles are approximately 2.5 meters long, of painted wood.

Points for appreciation

The highlights of Komaboko involve the use of the poles; the four dancers must hold the poles at the same angles, and time themselves carefully when they drop them to the floor of the stage.

The dancers use the poles to depict waves, both quiet and rough, and indicate their arrival at port by placing one end on their shoulders when they line up at the end of the dance.

The dance was created in Japan, but the use of the colorful poles adds a strong exotic flavor.

* Komaboko is also called Saomochi-mai (‘Pole-holding Dance’) and Kachōraku (‘Flower Fishing’).