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are a set of twelve bells used in dance. The set consists of three tiers of bells suspended by coiled brass wires from a central handle: two bells on the top tier, four bells on the middle tier, and six bells for the bottom tier. The shape of the bells are thought to have been inspired from the fruits of the tree ('' Michelia compressa'').
The term refers to small bells in general, but can refer to two Japanese instruments associated with Shinto ritual:
# A single large crotal bell similar in shape to a sleigh bell and having a slit on one side.
# A handheld bell-tree with small crotal bells strung in three levels on a spiraling wire.
The larger form may be hung from a rafter in front of a Shinto shrine and sounded by a robe or ribbons that hang within reach of the worshipper. The smaller is supported atop a handle and is held by female shrine attendants () costumed in traditional robes, white-powdered faces, and wearing Heian-period coiffure during performances of dances.
is a term encompassing Shinto instrumental music, songs, and dances performed at shrines and at court. It was formalized as early as 773 CE, when it appeared in the palace repertoire. These small bells, ritual implements of great antiquity, may also be grouped together in bundles for folk and ceremonial performances.
The Kagura Dancer, by Suzuki Harunobu, circa 1766.jpg, ''The Kagura Dancer'', showing a dancer with ''kagura suzu''. By
are a set of twelve bells used in dance. The set consists of three tiers of bells suspended by coiled brass wires from a central handle: two bells on the top tier, four bells on the middle tier, and six bells for the bottom tier. The shape of the bells are thought to have been inspired from the fruits of the tree ('' Michelia compressa'').
The term refers to small bells in general, but can refer to two Japanese instruments associated with Shinto ritual:
# A single large crotal bell similar in shape to a sleigh bell and having a slit on one side.
# A handheld bell-tree with small crotal bells strung in three levels on a spiraling wire.
The larger form may be hung from a rafter in front of a Shinto shrine and sounded by a robe or ribbons that hang within reach of the worshipper. The smaller is supported atop a handle and is held by female shrine attendants () costumed in traditional robes, white-powdered faces, and wearing Heian-period coiffure during performances of dances.
is a term encompassing Shinto instrumental music, songs, and dances performed at shrines and at court. It was formalized as early as 773 CE, when it appeared in the palace repertoire. These small bells, ritual implements of great antiquity, may also be grouped together in bundles for folk and ceremonial performances.
Gallery
Suzuki Harunobu
Suzuki Harunobu ( ja, 鈴木 春信; ) was a Japanese designer of woodblock print art in the style. He was an innovator, the first to produce full-color prints () in 1765, rendering obsolete the former modes of two- and three-color prints. Haru ...
, circa 1766
Urayasu-no-Mai-Kagura.jpg, Two perform with
See also
*Glossary of Shinto
This is the glossary of Shinto, including major terms on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk (*) are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries.
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* – A red papier-mâché cow bobblehead toy; a kind of ''engimo ...
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References
Japanese musical instruments Kagura Talismans Shinto in Japan Exorcism in Shinto Sacred musical instruments Percussion idiophones {{Bell-stub