Changes

*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 組踊　''(kumi odori / kumi udui)''

*''Japanese/Okinawan'': 組踊　''(kumi odori / kumi udui)''

''Kumi odori'' is a traditional Okinawan theatrical & dance form created originally as part of formal court entertainments for visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]]. It was created originally by Minister of Dance (''[[udui bugyo|udui bugyô]]'') [[Tamagusuku Chokun|Tamagusuku Chôkun]] in 1719, and developed and flourished until the abolition of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] in [[1879]], but was revived beginning in the 1970s. Following the restoration of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty in 1972, ''kumi odori'' was named an "important intangible cultural asset" by the Japanese government that same year. It can now be considered in a category with other traditional Japanese performing arts, including ''[[gagaku]]'', ''[[Noh]]'', ''[[bunraku]]'', and ''[[kabuki]]''.

''Kumi odori'' is a traditional Okinawan theatrical & dance form created originally as part of formal court entertainments for visiting [[Chinese investiture envoys]]. It was created originally by Minister of Dance (''[[udui bugyo|udui bugyô]]'') [[Tamagusuku Chokun|Tamagusuku Chôkun]] in 1719, and developed and flourished until the abolition of the [[Kingdom of Ryukyu|Kingdom of Ryûkyû]] in [[1879]], but was revived beginning in the 1970s. Following the restoration of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty in 1972, ''kumi odori'' was named an "important intangible cultural asset" by the Japanese government that same year. In November 2010, it was named an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" of the world by [[UNESCO]].<ref>"[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101118a9.html Dance, textiles earn UNESCO heritage status]." Japan Times. 18 November 2010. Accessed 3 December 2010.</ref> It can now be considered in a category with other traditional Japanese performing arts, including ''[[gagaku]]'', ''[[Noh]]'', ''[[bunraku]]'', and ''[[kabuki]]''.

Like Japanese traditional dramas, which often draw extensively upon Japanese myths and stories, such as ''[[gunki monogatari]]'', the plots and characters in ''kumi odori'' dance-plays are often pulled from traditional Okinawan legends and history, as seen in the ''[[Omoro soshi|Omoro sôshi]]'' and other oral and written histories.

Like Japanese traditional dramas, which often draw extensively upon Japanese myths and stories, such as ''[[gunki monogatari]]'', the plots and characters in ''kumi odori'' dance-plays are often pulled from traditional Okinawan legends and history, as seen in the ''[[Omoro soshi|Omoro sôshi]]'' and other oral and written histories.