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Period: 794 to 1185
Heian Period
Odori evolved from a popular Buddhist chant called 'Odori Nembutsu' in which monks would recite the chant to the beat of a drum. -
Period: 1185 to 1333
Kamakura Period
The Buddhist chant began incorporating movements as a way of better remembering the chant. Participants would form a circle around the taiko drum or instruments and keep in time to the beat, creating a dance we now know as Odori. -
Period: 1500 to
Azuchi-Momoyama Period
As Odori became widespread in farming communities, the dance movements began imitating farm lifestyle, such as 'digging up the soil' and 'carrying the coal'. Since 1467, Japan was constantly at conflict and civil war. The country was divided and under strict control by Daimyo families, closing off access to the rest of the world. The Japanese people only had themselves and their culture to practice and celebrate, becoming a tight-knit society. -
Period: to
Meji Period
During this time, Odori was banned due to the thought that it encouraged immoral behaviour. Come the Meiji Restoration, Japan reopened its doors to trade, and new foreign ideas and cultures were introduced to the country. -
Period: to
Taisho Period
The ban against Odori was lifted and as a result, new songs and dances were created, combining Western instruments/elements with traditional Japanese ones. Besides society reflecting and valuing harmony and peace through the generations, the Japanese people maintained their culture and way of life by working together as they did before under Daimyo power. -
Period: to
Postwar Period
Since the end of World War II, Japan became the forefront of modernization in terms of technology and culture. With the influence of Western and Modern times, odori became infused with contemporary pop music, forming a new type of dance style. Odori today can be seen as lively and energetic with the use of new music, but still retain some of the traditional elements of using classic dance movements and wearing traditional Japanese clothing (such as yukatas).