ALEXCIOUS

Shunkyo Kagami Jishi

This figurine depicts a scene from a famous Kabuki dance called "Shunkyo Kagami Jishi" ("Young Yayoi and the Spirit of the Lion").

Before the "Kagami Biraki" ("Breaking of the Mochi Cake") annual New Year's cerebration at Edo Castle, it was customary to hold a "Kagami Biki" ("Parading of the Mochi Cake") ceremony in the "O-oku" (harlem of Edo Castle). While performing an auspicious lion dance for the shogun in his opulent palace on this occasion, the maidservant Yayoi holds a wooden lion mask that has been offered to the gods along with the Mochi cake. Then, as if the lion spirit has taken control of Yayoi's body, she changes her appearance to a valiant lion spirit and dances .a dynamic dance. The dance consists of a delicate and beautiful first half and a dynamic and strong second half shaking long white hair that reaches the floor.

This doll depicts a scene from the graceful first half of the dance. Model created by Usao Ohta.