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, 08:07, 23 February 2020
*''Japanese'': 伎楽 ''(gigaku)''
''Gigaku'' was a style of dance-drama which was particularly prominent in the imperial court in the 7th century.
It was introduced into Japan sometime in the 7th century; according to some accounts, this took place in [[612]], introduced by a man from [[Paekche]] named Mimashi.
The plot and lines of ''gigaku'' plays have all been lost, but a number of masks survive and fourteen distinct characters have been identified, including Chinese nobles, Buddhist beings, and the eagle-headed [[garuda]].
Masks were traditionally held at [[Todai-ji|Tôdai-ji]], [[Horyu-ji|Hôryû-ji]], [[Kawara-dera]], and [[Saidai-ji]]. Nineteen masks historically held at Hôryû-ji, including some of the oldest surviving masks in the world, are today held at the [[Tokyo National Museum]].
Though an extremely prominent part of court ritual and entertainments in the 7th century, ''gigaku'' became displaced by ''[[bugaku]]'' in the 8th century.
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==References==
*Gallery labels, "Izumo and Yamato," special exhibition, Tokyo National Museum, Feb 2020.
[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]
[[Category:Asuka Period]]