Kamogawa Odori, 1924

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The following is a direct except from the English language section from the Kamogawa Odori programme of 1928 from the private collection of Naomi Graham-Diaz, ImmortalGeisha.com. This has been copy-typed verbatim, along with scans, from the original programme by Naomi Graham-Diaz.

Kamogawa Dance
Nov. 6th – December 6th

Hereditary Capitals in Japan
The Kamogawa Odori (Dance) dates from 1872 and has been performed in the spring every year. But this year another performance has specially been arranged in commemoration of the Grand Enthronement Ceremony held in Kyoto this autumn. Originally the Kamogawa Odori is quite a classical dance of pure Japanese taste, but now those engaged in the preparation are very anxious to give it a touch of modernism in order to meet with the demand of the times.

Each stage has been studied so as to represent the hereditary Capitals in Japan: Naniwa (present Osaka), Shiga (near the lake Biwa), Yoshino and Kashiwara (in Nara Prefecture), Yoyogi (Tokyo), and Heian (Kyoto).

Part I
The Stage of Bugaku (Nagauta)

This stage is an imitation of that, on which the Bugaku-an ancient Japanese dance-is to be played before the audience (guest) of the Great Feast given by the Imperial household during the Grand Coronation.

Dancers are afforded with a folding fan with a scarlet tassel each.

Part II.
The Morning View of Naniwa (Nagauta)

The stage shows the scenary of Naniwa in the morning, viewed from the Kohzu shrine, plumb blossoms in the background.

The girls carry a branch of plum blossoms with noshi – a symbolic piece of ceremony.

Part III
The Lake Biwa in the Evening (Nagauta)

This is the view of the lake Biwa in summer, beyond of which mount Mikami is seen.

Girls have a Japanese towel and a round fan.

Part IV.
Yoshino (Tokiwazu)

Yoshino is famous for cherry blossoms and historical remains. In this stage, there appear a cerestrial being with a tsuzumi- a hand drum- a minister with a baton and several page boys each with a bamboo flute or a branch of cherry blossoms.

Part V
The Autumnal Scene of Kashiwara (Tokiwazu)

This is the view of Kashiwara, mount. Unebi as the background, beyond the autumnal garden of flowers.

Dancing girls carry a branch of eurya ochanacea with a wreath of white paper (a sacred symbol) at first and a flower next.

Part VI.
The Snow Sight of Yoyugi (Nagauta)

This stage shows the dawn of the snow-covered plane and forest of the Meiji Jingu- the shrine in which the late Emperor Meiji is enshrined. There is seen Mount Fuji far far away.

Dancers are equipped with two flags.

Part VII
The Heian Jingu (Nagauta)

This shows the inner garden of the Heian Jingu in Okazaki, Kyoto. Maple leaves shine in their best and give another beauty to the pond.

Girls have sunshades.

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The text above is a direct except from the English language section from the Kamogawa Odori programme of 1928 from the private collection of Naomi Graham-Diaz, ImmortalGeisha.com. This has been copy-typed verbatim, along with scans, from the original programme by Naomi Graham-Diaz.