Japanese traditional dance

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/japanese-traditional-dance

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Japanese traditional dance?Japan, an island nation situated in East Asia
2. How many people live in Japanese traditional dance?Approximately 125.1 million people (as of recent estimates)
3. How big is Japanese traditional dance?Approximately 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 square miles)
4. What is the capital of Japanese traditional dance?Tokyo
5. What language do people speak in Japanese traditional dance?Japanese
6. What is the difference between Mai and Odori dances?Mai is calm and graceful, with flowing, circular moves that show inner feelings. Odori is lively and energetic, using big steps, leaps, and expressive gestures to tell stories and celebrate.

Kagura: Ancient Shinto ritual dances performed at shrines, often involving music and storytelling to appease deities.
Dengaku: A traditional Japanese folk dance, historically associated with agricultural rituals, particularly rice planting.
Mai: A style of Japanese dance characterized by graceful, circular, and often subdued movements, emphasizing elegance and control.
Odori: A style of Japanese dance featuring more energetic, stepping, and vigorous movements, often used for narrative or celebratory purposes.