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

Object Information
  • 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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