IwatoIwami Kagura
Iwato (The Cave Door)
The deity of the Sun, Amaterasu, hid in a
cave and blocked the entrance with a big rock, and the world was steeped in
darkness. The other deities discussed how to coax her out and bring the light
back. One female deity, Uzume, danced in front of the rock and the other deities
watching laughed and cheered her on. They finally succeeded in drawing Amaterasu out.
It is said the origin of kagura comes from
Uzume’s dance, which was presented with a prayer for Amaterasu’s presence. It is
a celebrative play in which various deities appear.
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