Also kuregaku 呉楽. Now-lost ancient masked theatrical performances given at temples from the 7th to 9th century. According to the Nihon shoki 日本書紀 (Chronicles of Japan; 720), the art of gigaku was brought to Japan by the Korean dancer Mimashi 味摩之 in 612 after a trip to the South Chinese country of Wo (Jp: Go 呉 or Kure) and then became an important ceremony performed at Buddhist temples throughout Japan. Possibly the first performance was commanded by Prince Shōtoku 聖徳 (574-622; see *Shōtoku Taishi zō 聖徳太子像) at Hōryūji 法隆寺. Since gigaku had died out by the Kamakura period, exact details can only be surmised today through literary records and extant gigaku masks *gigakumen 伎楽面. Gigaku seems to have consisted of masked actors parading around the temple grounds followed by a set repertory of short dances or pantomimes, some religious, others humorous, accompanied by music provided by flute, gong, and drums.