Toyosaka no Mai (Toyosaka Dance)" at the Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) Gagaku Concert!

The video, titled "Toyosaka no Mai Sakura Matsuri Gagaku Concert 2018" (豊栄の舞　さくらまつり雅楽演奏会2018), was released by "YAKISOBA1BAN."
It shows a performance of Gagaku, a traditional Japanese performing art.

The performance featured in the video is "Toyosaka no Mai" at the 2018 Sakura Matsuri Gagaku Concert at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, in Japan's Tokai region.
The musical performance by the Ohito Gagaku Ensemble (大仁雅楽会) at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine's main shrine is very elegant.

Gagaku and Other Traditional Japanese Cultures

Photo：Noh

Japan has a variety of traditional music and dance cultures, including the well known Noh and Kyogen.
Some of the notable traditions are the dedication of Bugaku and Kagura (Shinto music) performed with an accompaniment of Gagaku music at traditional festivals held in various regions of Japan.

Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) and Kagura are traditional cultures that have been handed down in Japan since ancient times as traditional music of the court.
For those who are interested in Japan's beautiful Gagaku and Bugaku performances, we recommend visiting shrines and temples during traditional Japanese events, such as Hatsumode (New Year's visit), Setsubun, Ouka-Sai (桜花祭, Cherry blossom Festival), Nodate (an open‐air tea ceremony), and more.

Toyosaka no Mai, the Gagaku Performance Shown in the Video

Source :YouTube screenshot

Toyosaka no Mai, the performance shown in the video, is a very joyful performance held in the spring.
Women wearing red and white clothing, holding a sakaki or a flower of each of the four seasons, perform a dance to the accompaniment of a sho (a Japanese free reed flute), Hichiriki (a double reed Japanese flute), gaku biwa, Koto and other instruments.

Miko (the shrine maidens) who perform Toyosaka no Mai, as shown at 0:44 in the video, spend countless hours practicing and mastering the dance before the actual performance.

Let's go to the Sakura Festival Gagaku concert at Mt. Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine!

Photo：Yabusame

Mt. Fuji Honmiya Asama Taisha ShrineThe cherry blossoms in are sacred trees.The cherry blossoms of Mt. Fuji Honmiya Asama Taisha are sacred trees.Since the god of the festival is "Konohana no Sakuyabishime," about 500 cherry blossoms in the precincts are considered sacred and celebratory events are held.
The cherry blossom festival starts at 9 a.m. on April 1.The Gagaku Concert, in which the kagura "Toyoei Mai" is dedicated, will also be held in front of the shrine from 17:30 on the same day.In addition, Noh (Kyogen) is dedicated, so there are many things to see.

Cherry blossom lighting is usually done from late March to early April, when cherry blossoms are at their best.The expected cherry blossom day in Shizuoka prefecture in 2024 is March 22nd, so it seems a little earlier than usual.

Summary of "Toyosaka no Mai" at the Sakura Matsuri Gagaku Concert

Source :YouTube screenshot

Toyosaka no Mai is a traditional performance that has been handed down in Japan since ancient times.

The fantastic Bugaku performance under the cherry blossoms at night is so beautiful that you'll never get tired of watching it.
If you'd like to learn more about traditional Japanese performing arts, be sure to check out the video to see all of the intricacies of the performance!