Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri
Outline
Yamato-mai is a piece of the kuniburi-no-utamai repertoire of indigenous songs and dances, for four dancers and an accompanying ensemble of six to eight performers—singers and instrumentalists.
There are a number of theories about its origins; it may derive from songs and dances from the central Yamato region (Nara prefecture).
It was taken into court ceremony by the Nara period (8th century), and performed by members of the official Bureau of Music. During the Heian period (9th to 12th centuries) it was performed at the Daijōsai Great Thanksgiving Service) celebrated in years of imperial succession, and the Chinkonsai (‘Soul-quieting’ Ceremony) associated with the traditional thanksgiving rite Niinamesai (or Shinjōsai). It was also performed at many shrines in and close to the capital. Its performance tradition was lost in the medieval period, and revived in the mid-18th century.
Program, texts and translations
After an instrumental prelude for transverse flute ryūteki, and reedpipe hichiriki (Ōnaobi no awase-netori), the song Ōnaobi-no-uta is sung. Another prelude (Yamato-uta no awase-netori) is followed by the song Yamato-uta, which is danced to.
[Ōnaobi-no-uta]
Ōnaobi no awase-netori (instrumental prelude)
Ōnaobi-no-uta (song)
| atarashiki | At the beginning |
|---|---|
| toshi no hajime ni | of the New Year let us thus |
| kaku shi koso | take pleasure in joy |
| chitose o kanete | in a reign that will last |
| tanoshiki o tsume | a thousand years and more. |
[Yamato-uta]
Yamato-uta no awase-netori (instrumental prelude)
Yamato-uta (song with dance)
| miyabito no | Taking in my hands |
|---|---|
| koshi ni sashitaru | the sakaki leaves |
| sakakiba o | that courtiers wear at their waists, |
| ware torimochite | I will hold them |
| yorozuyo ya hemu | for ages eternal. |
Costumes and instruments
Two of the four dancers wear outer robes (hō) of red, and the other two wear outer robes of dark gray. Their headgear (kanmuri) has a hanging flap (suiei) at the rear. They hold a wooden staff of office (shaku) as they dance.
The accompanying musicians wear the usual jōe costume of shrine priests, with headgear (tate-eboshi) of silk gauze stiffened with black lacquer.
The accompaniment is made up of three instruments: clapper shakubyōshi (played by the lead singer), transverse flute ryūteki,, and reedpipe hichiriki.
Points for appreciation
Yamato-mai is a simple but refined song and dance form. The music accompanying the dance is in free rhythm, so the dancers adjust their movements to those of the lead dancer. At one point the dancers bend their knees and almost sit on the stage; this is perhaps the highlight of the dance. The song continues until the dancers have left the stage.
At present the yamato-mai is performed at the imperial palace at the Chinkonsai (‘soul-quieting’ ceremony) of November 22, but this is closed to the public. The Nara shrine Kasuga Taisha preserves a distinct version of the yamato-mai, which apparently survives from pre-Meiji times.
