What did Baekje dance look like; discovering traces of 1,300-year-old dance in Japan 

What did Baekje dance look like; discovering traces of 1,300-year-old dance in Japan . September. 22, 2015 06:59. kimje@donga.com.

The Korea-Japan Culture Exchange Council will hold a performance entitled “Homecoming of Japan’s Baekje Dance” at KB Haneul (Sky) Youth Theater of the National Theater of Korea on October 1-4 to mark the 50th anniversary of normalization of Korea-Japan ties. The performance will showcase ‘Gagura dance’ that is performed during the Siwasumasri Festival in Nangoson district of Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan. 

Kuk Soo-ho (67), art director of Didim Dancing Troupe and member of the council, said, “While tracing footsteps of the Baekje man Mimaji, who transferred dance to Japan, we discovered dance that is believed to be Baekje dance in Siwasumasri.” Siwasumasri, a festival named after King Jeongga of Baekje who exiled to Japan some 1,300 years ago and his son King Bokji is convened in Nangoson district in December every year. The festival reinstates the journey in which King Bokji visits and meets with King Jeongga, and art director Kuk claims that chances are high that Gagura dance, which is performed in the event, is dance from Baekje. King Jeongga is a descendant of the Baekje Kingdom’s last king Uija, and settled down in Nangoson district, but reportedly died in battle with his chasers from the Silla Dynasty. 

Kuk said, “The dance is characterized by unique dancing steps and hand gestures of straight lines,” adding, “With the performance, 15 dance successors from Mikado Shrine, and Hiki Shrine in Nangoson district will perform. The performance will be staged at Jeonglim-sa Buddhist Temple site in Buyeo on October 1, Gumgang Shingwan Park in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province on October 2, and KB Haneul Youth Theater at the National Theater in Seoul on October 4. Admission is free but reservation is required. 044-203-2573.