The Dance of Kagura Musume: Princess of Masks

MTC: Yardley Hall • 2:40 PM

The Dance of Kagura Musume: Princess of Masks

Performed by Asuka Wakayagi Kichi Iijima

Experience this captivating traditional Japanese dance performed by Nihon-buyō (Japanese Dance) Master Asuka Wakayagi Kichi Iijima.

In this performance, master dancer Asuka Iijima brings to life the tale of Kagura Musume, the maiden princess of the Shinto festival.

Guided by the festive spirit of Edo-period matsuri, the maiden dons five different masks, each transforming her dance and identity into a new character: the beautiful princess, the fearsome eight-headed serpent, the mighty Shinto god of storm and sea, and the comical duo Hyottoko and Okame.

This famous folklore story tells of a serpent named Yamata no Orochi who attempts to abduct the young princess and devour her. But suddenly, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu, appears and after a fierce battle, beheads the serpent, sparing the life of the beautiful princess. Hyottoko and Okame, two traditional comical characters, discover the severed head of the slain serpent and react with exaggerated fear and astonishment.

Victory, humor, and celebration follow as tradition and myth blend on stage with authentic costumes, music, and choreography.

Experience Japanese storytelling at its most vivid — complete with traditional masks, authentic costumes, music, and choreography.

About the Performer

Asuka Wakayagi Kichi Iijima began her study of Japanese Dancing at age seven, studying under Master Wakayagi Kichikomae. She has over twenty years of dance training. Her stage performances include: Hane no Kamuro, Fuji Musume, Kioi Jishi, and Shigure Saigyo. She studied abroad for advanced academic degrees from 2000 to 2005 completing both master’s and PhD degrees. Since 2007, she has been performing to popular Japanese ballads and local folk songs such as Yagibushi rather than traditional kabuki style music.

In 2021, she was certified as Shihan (Master of Japanese Dancing ) and is preparing to open a school of dance. She received a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and English Education from Keio University; a master’s degree in composition and TESOL (a certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and a PhD Degree in Composition and TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Currently, she is an English instructor at Keio University in Tokyo and serves as an English instructor and tutor for various academic institutions.

Image Credit

William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, MFA Boston

Gozu Tennō (=Susanoo) and Inada-hime, from the series Lives of Heroes of Our Country (Honchō eiyū den)

「本朝英雄伝　牛頭天皇　稲田姫」
Utagawa Kuniteru I (Sadashige) (Japanese, active about 1820–60)
Publisher: Shimizuya Tsunejirō (Japanese)
Japanese, Edo period, about 1847–48