Asian Culture: Female Shamans in Eastern Japan during Edo period (Essay Sample)

Female Shamans in Eastern Japan during Edo period
Name
Institution
Date
Introduction
Edo period was marked by high economic growth, high levels of social order, good population and an environment of enjoyable art as well as culture. It entailed a lot of things such as performances of sacred dance and music. These performances were usually staged at the shrines. These performances were usually controlled by an association which was called combinatory Shinto in Japan language (Gerald, 2007). The association was also being controlled by the Tamura Hachidayu.In that, the association had to work within the directions of the Tamura Hachidayu. Tamura served as the high priest and oversaw several performances of the sacred dances at the shrine. He performed the incantation of performed various sacrifices at the shrine. These incantations could be done during the Edo period before the performances started. Do period is described as a point when the Japanese society was placed under the ruler of Tokugawa Shogunate and others within region. During these ceremonies, there were masks that were used, and they had their significance. During the Edo period, various cultural activities took place.The prayers for the four directions, the dance, features the god Sarutahiko and was accompanied by flutes and drum. Magical incantation, after the magical incantation drums and flutes, provided the exit music. Lion dance, this comprised of two dancers, these dancers were accompanied by flutes and drumsStrong men on stilts, performed acrobatics and people used drums and flutes to welcome them to their performance (Gerald, 2007). There was the Lotus leaf dance, this comprised of seven dancers, together with flutes and drums. After all, the activities, there was a ceremony to dispatch the gods in which the four directions were saluted. This last activity in the ceremony was called the Shimeshi. The Female Shamans were also called the Miko.They transmitted the voices of the dead or departed.They performed spiritual possession to the shrines. They later left the shrines and began working independently in secular society. To become a Shaman, the girl, after the start of menstruation had to undergo a very intensive training. Trainings were conducted by an elder Shaman who in most cases was probably a family member mostly an aunt. The training would be conducted through rituals made or composed of cold water baths or washings, strict abstinence and clear observations accepted common taboos of the society such as death, situations of illness and blood scenarios. The Miko also took part in performance of sacred dances which were performed under traditional attires (Gerald, 2007).
Authors Level of persuasion
As the author focuses on the cultural part during the Edo period. He gives into detail the various activities that took place at that time. He mentions that the activities took place at the shrine. Before mentioning the activities, the author names various groups that were involved in these activities. He mentions the association which was called the combinatory Shinto in Japan and goes ahead and mentions the one that controlled the group who was called the Tamura Hachidayu.The author also mentions that the performances were done at different shrines, the occasions that took place and also the arts. Apart from mentioning the shrine he even says the places where the shrines are located. He says that at the Chiba Myoken Shrine which is situated in Shimoga, variousKagura pieces were performed. This involved a dance with the Shinto Wand and a crowds dance. This took place at theChiba Myoken in Shimosaprovince. The another shrine the author mentions is the RokushoDaimyojinshrine,this is found in Kokufu of saga mi province. On this occasion, various Kagura performances took places such as prayer for external peace and everlasting military power.These were performed by the masters of sacred dance.
When talking about the Female shamans also known as the Miko, he gives details of their history. He focuses on the control of the Miko.The institution that controlled the Miko was headed by TamiraHcchidayu (Gerald, 2007). The author talks about the rise and fall of Kanto-based female Shamans. The Miko made popular religious contributions during the Edo period. The Miko were also expected to forward an annual fee to the association and abide by its rules. Since the Miko were controlled, they often traveled throughout the land to make a living but could come back to their home province at the end of the year. This was so because those who controlled them could not allow them to spend the turn of the year in another province. The author also says that the Miko religious occupation was related to their marriage to a Shinto priest or a similar religious practitioner. Even one who saw after rituals and ceremonies at a local shrine. The author also stresses the rule of Tamura.He states that the Tamura as the head of the Miko, his rule was limited to Miko who managed in practices such as invoking the voices of the deceased or departed. He was not allowed to regulate the kinds of Miko who performed Kagura at shrines in the Kanto area or environs.
Evidence relied on by the author and the reasons
The sacred and music staged at the Shrine; the music was known s the Kagura. The dances were staged at the shrines in the different shrines. This was under the jurisdiction of Tamura Hachidayu.Whereby Tamura served as the head priest of the Sanja Gongen.The author relies on this evidence since the sacred dance and music was one of the most important performances during the Edo period. And also that the sacred dance wads were under someone’s jurisdiction.
Visual impairment of theMiko, The Miko made popular contributions during the Edo period; many of the had visual impairment in the northeastern during the Edo period. The author relied on the evidence based on the visually impaired Miko because;...