The political significance of ceremonial music and dance performance in ancient Japan, in comparison to China and from the point of view of physical activity

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K02122
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Aesthetics and studies on art
• Research Institution: Toho Gakuen School of Music
• Principal Investigator: HIRAMA MICHIKO (平間充子) 桐朋学園大学, 音楽学部, 講師 (90600495)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 日本芸能史 / 中国音楽史 / 中国芸能史 / 雅楽 / 日本古代史 / 日本女性史 / 相撲儀礼 / 内教坊

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using descriptions in period official histories and protocols, I examined how ceremonial music and dance performances reflect the meaning of the rituals themselves. For instance, Naikyobo, which consisted of only female performers, played at Naien (Privy Banquet) and Kikkaen (Chrysanthemum Banquet); it followed the Chinese-model policy, especially the political expulsion of women current at the time those rituals were established. Japanese ritual wrestling originated from ancient Chinese baixi which included many kinds of performance as a show of imperial force. Its style as an offertory ceremony is reflected in the music performance by Imperial guard agency members.
I also explored the background of Christopher Small's idea of “musicking,” in Catalonia where he developed the concept. During my stay I conducted research into his former materials and also gathered information on his music activity at an amateur theatre and lectures at musicological meetings there.

Free Research Field

日本音楽史