Kagura in the Geihoku area of Hiroshima Prefecture
In ancient times, Izumo prospered as a cultural and industrial center.
Izumo Kagura, performed as an agricultural and Shinto ritual, was introduced
to its western neighbor, Iwami.
In Iwami, Kagura added myths and stories of Kojiki (the Record of Ancient
Matters) and Nihonshoki (the Chronicle of Japan) and developed its own
unique style. Kagura was originally meant to entertain the gods, but Iwami
Kagura was unique because performers and spectators also enjoyed it.
Iwami Kagura spread to the Geihoku area in the north of Hiroshima Prefecture
at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867). Kagura was mainly performed by
Shinto priests, but in the Meiji era (1868-1912), shrine parishioners came
to perform Kagura. With this, more entertaining repertoires became the
mainstream of Kagura.
After the end of World War II in 1945, Kagura added various stories from
the classical Japanese arts of Noh and Kabuki. It also added to the repertoire
from the legends from different parts of Japan.
When Kagura contests were inaugurated to judge the performers’ spirits
and skills, Kagura developed its dramatic and artistic aspects, which were
evaluated at these events.
At the same time, there was a tendency for Kagura groups in different
communities to develop their own unique features by modifying traditional
Kagura into a theatrical performing art different from Noh or Kabuki.
Kagura in the Geihoku area of Hiroshima Prefecture now has a repertoire
of more than 70 performances: including agricultural rituals; mythologies
and stories of the nation-building of ancient Japan (Yamato); legends and
historical stories of the Heian period (794-c.1185); and original stories
that are still being added by different Kagura groups.
There are more than 100 Kagura groups in the Geihoku area. Kagura is now
a popular youth culture, transcending the old boundaries of farming and
mountain villages, and contributing to the healthy mental and physical
growth of new generations. In this way, a new, but traditional, Japanese
culture is being developed in the form of Kagura.
In Hiroshima Prefecture, there are also other lines of Kagura with different
roots, including Aki Juni Jingi, Hiba Kojin Kagura and Bingo Kagura.