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Theatre
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The oldest forms of the traditional Japanese theater originated from Shinto ritual dances. Many theatrical forms, such as Gagaku, Gigaku, Bugaku were adopted together with the Buddhist culture from the continent - from China, Korea, India and Indochina. The oldest type of theater Kagura (lit. "the joy of gods") is a theatrical temple performance accompanied with percussions and the flute, dances and acts aimed at attracting the Shinto gods and driving away evil demons. Its main theme is the myth about the goddess of sun Amaterasu. Actors perform in masks. The No theater emerged in the 14th century under the patronage of the Asikaga dynasty shoguns. No is considered of the classical types of the Samurai art that absorbed the principles of Zen Buddhism. No actors perform in rich costumes and masks which convey the character of personages. The popular Kabuki theater appeared in the end of the 16th century. Originally, during the Edo period (1600 - 1868), Kabuki was considered "low" theater for common people. The main themes of Kabuki plays at that time for love stories, tragic stories about famous Samurais and conflicts between man and the feudal system. In the puppet theater Bunraku (Dzyoruri) the same plays as in Kabuki are performed, but all roles are played by puppets each of which is driven by three puppeteers. Among theater accessories are masks, theater kimonos, and various musical instruments.
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