Shinto: “way of the Gods” (indigenous religious practices)
 Religion based on ritual practices: purification; celebration.

Shinto music: kagura - origins in entertainment for the Sun Goddess
Mi-kagura - court music and dance
Sato-kagura - folk music and dance (for festivals)

Mi-kagura: sacred music of the Imperial court: (Imperial palace, Kyoto, Nara, Ise)
Song types:
Torimono (praising God): holding objects represents presence of God
Saibari (entertaining God): variety of sword, mask dances
Instruments:
wagon (indigenous six-string zither) - stereotyped patterns
kagurabue (transverse flute) - melody instrument
shakubyoshi (wood clappers) - time keeper
Female mi-kagura:
Mikomai (shrine maidens dance)
Shirabyoshi (young girls dance)

Two important characteristics:
stereotyped melodic patterns (played on wagon)
music is linked with literature, dance or ceremonial action

Sato-kagura (village festival music): origins in agricultural ceremonies
Hayashi: small band of musicians for festivals
Typically three percussionists and flute player
Instruments: o-daiko, taiko (drums); takebue (flute); atari-gane (gong)
Music accompanies variety of processionals and dances:
okame (comic female), hyottoko (comic male), shishimai (lion)
Repetitive, continuous music - series of pieces strung together;
style of music varies from place to place

Two important characteristics:
The use of named rhythmic patterns;
Rhythmic cadences: O-daiko signals ends of sections
(in contrast with harmonic cadences of Western music)