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Ceremonial Dances

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Ceremonial Dances involve inviting the gods into the performance hall and dedicating that day's performance to them. People under the protection of the local deity use these dances to thank him for that fall's abundant harvest and to ask for his continued favor. Thus, the ceremonial dances are performed before all others and are the most important dances in each Kagura group's repertoire. Elements of the ceremonial dances can be found in every other dance the group performs and remains the essence of Kagura. It is customary to do the ceremonial dances even when performing somewhere other than at a shrine.

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A purification dance performed by a single dancer holding a fan and a gohei (purification wand).

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Welcoming the Gods
Performed by four dancers holding gohei (purification wands) and bells.

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Brushwood Dance

Performed by two dancers holding bamboo grass.

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Bell Ensemble
Performed by four men holding sacred poles and bells.

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Drum Ensemble
Performed with the shimedaiko, cymbals, and flute, this ensemble is offered to the gods of the High Plain of Heaven, the tutelary gods of the earth, and the Eight-hundred Myriad Gods.

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NPO Hiroshima kagura Art Laboratory

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