上方舞/Kamigatamai

What is Kamigatamai?



It is said that Kamigatamai is a type of Japanese traditional dance which originated around in the middle of the Edo period (1603~1868), developed with Kamigata-Kabuki’s choreograph in Kamigata area, mostly in Osaka and Kyoto.






As it is often performed at Zashiki (tatami-floored rooms) in Ryotei/ high-class Japanese restaurants, with Jiuta-songs and tunes, Kamigatamai is called Zashikimai and Jiutamai too.





Unlike the saltational dancing movement of 踊り/ odori, 舞/mai movement is characterized by its horizontally circular movement.




The quiet, mellow and meditative movement of Kamigatamai expresses introspective emotions.

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