gigaku 伎楽

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.