Bugaku Imperial Court Dance

17th century

Not on view

As early as the sixth or seventh century, dance and music from China and Korea were combined with native songs for court performances known as gagaku. Performed from the tenth century at court functions and banquets by nobles and by hereditary guilds of professional musicians under the patronage of the Imperial Family, gagaku and its dance repertoire, bugaku, were an important part of life at the Kyoto court.

Artwork Details

舞楽図巻
Title: Bugaku Imperial Court Dance
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 17th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Handscroll from set of two; ink, color, and gold on paper
Dimensions: 14 3/8 in. x 55 ft. 8 3/8 in. (36.5 x 1697.7 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Seymour Fund, 1957
Object Number: 57.52.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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