Takachiho is the legendary setting for several Japanese myths, including the story of Amano-Iwato and the descent of the heavenly grandchild. Because of this deep mythological connection, various locations throughout the Takachiho district hold annual sacred dance performances. Takachiho Shrine is one of these sites and offers visitors a Kagura dance every evening, based on these ancient mythological tales.
Four representative Kagura dances are regularly performed: Dance 24 (Tajikarao), Dance 25 (Uzume), Dance 26 (Todori), and Dance 20 (Goshintai).
1. Goshintai (The Sacred Dance): Also known as the “Dance of the Land’s Birth” (Kunisami-no-Mai) or the “Sake-Brewing Dance” (Sakekoshi no Mai), this piece depicts the two creator deities, Izanagi and Izanami. Their dance represents the sacred union of male and female principles, a symbolic act of creation. While historically a more explicit “fertility dance,” its modern performance has been refined into a more elegant and symbolic form.
2. Tajikarao-no-Mikoto: This dance portrays the god renowned for his immense strength. His performance is powerful and dynamic. A notable and comical moment occurs when he cups his ear against the Amano-Iwato cave, listening for the Sun Goddess.
3. Amenouzume-no-Mikoto: This piece features the celestial goddess known as the greatest dancer in the High Plain of Heaven. While the myth describes her disrobing and dancing in a frantic, ecstatic manner to lure out Amaterasu, her Kagura dance is stylized into a form that is graceful and beautiful.
4. Todori (Tenrikio-no-Mikoto): In this intense performance, the dancer’s mask changes from white to red, symbolizing the deity’s growing power and ferocity. The dance, performed with wild, disheveled hair, is so energetic that performers are said to become completely possessed by the character.
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