Shinto

===''Kagura''===
[[File:Ymananashi-oka shrine Daidai Kagura A.JPG|thumb|A {{lang|ja-Latn|kagura}} traditional dance performed at the Yamanashi-oka shrine]]
{{lang|ja-Latn|[[Kagura]]}} describes the music and dance performed for the {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}};{{sfnm|1a1=Offner|1y=1979|1p=205|2a1=Bocking|2y=1997|2p=81}} the term may have originally derived from {{lang|ja-Latn|kami no kura}} ("seat of the {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}").{{sfn|Kobayashi|1981|p=3}} Throughout Japanese history, dance has played an important culture role and in Shinto it is regarded as having the capacity to pacify {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}.{{sfn|Kitagawa|1987|p=23}} There is a [[mythology|mythological]] tale of how {{lang|ja-Latn|kagura}} dance came into existence. According to the {{Lang|ja-latn|Kojiki}} and the {{Lang|ja-latn|Nihon Shoki}}, [[Ame-no-Uzume]] performed a dance to entice Amaterasu out of the cave in which she had hidden herself.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitagawa|1y=1987|1p=23|2a1=Bocking|2y=1997|2p=81|3a1=Picken|3y=2011|3p=68}}

There are two broad types of kagura.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|p=81}} One is Imperial kagura, also known as {{lang|ja-Latn|mikagura}}. This style was developed in the imperial court and is still performed on [[Three Palace Sanctuaries|imperial grounds]] every December.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|pp=81–82}} It is also performed at the Imperial harvest festival and at major shrines such as Ise, [[Kamo Shrines|Kamo]], and [[Iwashimizu Shrine|Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū]]. It is performed by singers and musicians using {{lang|ja-Latn|[[shakubyoshi]]}} wooden clappers, a {{lang|ja-Latn|[[hichiriki]]}}, a {{lang|ja-Latn|kagura-bue}} flute, and a six-stringed zither.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|p=82}} The other main type is {{lang|ja-Latn|sato-kagura}}, descended from {{lang|ja-Latn|mikagura}} and performed at shrines across Japan. Depending on the style, it is performed by {{lang|ja-Latn|miko}} or by actors wearing masks to portray various mythological figures.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|pp=82, 155}} These actors are accompanied by a {{lang|ja-Latn|hayashi}} band using flutes and drums.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|p=82}} There are also other, regional types of kagura.{{sfn|Bocking|1997|p=82}}