Japanese Dance

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Kabuki
Kabuki was created in the 17th century and is a dance performed on stage or in a theater. The dance is a mix between religion and folk dancing. Some performances require elaborate costumes and make-up. In the beginning it was performed by both male and female dancers but now the majority of the Kabuki dances are performed by males. For a long time female performances were banned due to a large amount of prostitution being such a sensual dance.

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Noh Mai
Noh Mai began as early as the 13th centry. Noh Mai is performed to the beat of flute and small hand drums. During part of the dance there can be some singing. There are many different types of Noh Mai dances that each have different body movements. The Chu No Mai is a moderate dance that is generally performed by females. The Jo No Mai is a slower dance also performed by females, sometimes it is perfomed in costumes. The Otoko Mai is a dance performed by males and is supposed to be interpreted as heroic. The Kami Mai is another male dance that is very fast and the female version of the dance is Kagura. Gaku is the last of the dances that imitates music. Those are the six types of Noh Mai dances. The costumes represent the region the performances is in. One of the most important parts is the mask which is only worn by the main character.

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Bon Odori
Bon Odori is a dance that is meant to welcome dead spirts. Every region of Japan has a different dance and different music. However most of the dances involve people gathering around the yagura, which is a wooden building made for the festival. The do a pattern a movements around the yagura which are generally supposed to represent their past and the regions history. The Bon Odori can also involve tools or instruments depending upon the region. Tools include small towels, small wooden clappers or fans. Some use flowers to decorate themselves during the dance. Another form is the Obon dance which is performed in the Obon Festival every summer in the different districts of Japan. It is believed the during the Obon the ancestors return to visit the relatives.

Nihon Buyo
The Nihon Buyo is considered to be a combination of all the main dances in Japan. It has a uniqueness of its own but also takes moves from the Kabuki, Noh Mai, and Bon Odori. Some of the dances describe history, some are performed only be males or females. Each of these dances are all special in their own ways. The techniques are considered forms of art and are mainly performed on stage.

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Videos
http://www.revver.com/vid eo/907029/japanesedance-geisha/
http://www.travelistic.com/ video/show/306/GeishaDance