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The Legacy to Nihon Buyō
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 July 2014
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Nihon Buyō is the most recent form of Japanese classical art dance. Literally, Nihon means “Japanese” and buyō means “dance.” It developed as part of Kabuki, a theatrical blend of dance, drama, and music, dating from the seventeenth century. It is currently seen on the Kabuki stage as an integral part of the drama or in separate dance concerts, recitals, and entertainments. In performances off the Kabuki stage, the dances may be taken from the plays without any changes in the choreography. Or they may be the same but performed with modifications, as for example, a duet adapted as a solo. Also dances created in this style but originally meant to be viewed as separate entities, rather than as part of Kabuki, are seen more and more often today. These dances are known collectively as Nihon Buyō, or frequently just as Buyō. It is a style of dance considered to be essentially of the Edo period (1615–1867), and is continuing to evolve in the context of contemporary Japanese culture.
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