< Kamigata-mai (Kamigata-Style Japanese Dancing) > Kamigata-mai is a generic name for various dance forms established in the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe area during premodern times. The most famous one is zashiki-mai (lit. parlor dance; also called jiuta-mai), in which the dancer is casually dressed and dances quietly in a small room where folding screens are installed. Regarding the difference between mai and odori dance forms, the former is named for its suppressed, circular movement, while the latter, developed from kabuki played on a big stage, is named for its dynamic movement with leaping or skipping. (Kamigata-mai and Osaka) Kamigata-mai, which originated during the Tempo era (1831–45), was introduced from the Naka-za theater in Dotombori, Osaka, to parlors at inns or traditional Japanese-style restaurants by wealthy merchants in the Semba business district. This dance, which forms the basis and the main feature of Kamigata-mai today, is done quietly to avoid raising dust in front of the audience enjoying the performance while having their meal. Kamigata-mai is also known as jiuta-mai, since it is often danced to jiuta* (lit. local songs); at the same time, it also reflects heavy influence from nohgaku. *Jiuta: This term specifically refers to local songs of the Kansai region. The Yamamura school, the oldest of the four Kamigata-mai schools*, penetrated deeply among not only professional dancers in nightlife districts but also ordinary boys and girls as lessons for learning good manners. The current head of the school is YAMAMURA Waka VI. The school celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006. * The four Kamigata-mai schools: Inoue, Umemoto, Yamamura, Yoshimura

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