Kagura-den

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū's kagura-den

The kagura-den or kagura-dono (神楽殿, lit. kagura palace^?), also called maidono (舞殿, dance palace^?), is the building within a Shinto shrine where the sacred dance (kagura) and music are offered to the kami during ceremonies.^[1] It was originally just a temporary stage, first mentioned in a 9th century text describing a maidono built in front of Hirano Shrine. In about a century it had become a permanent shrine feature, and its use was extended until its function as a worship hall prevailed over the original.^[1] It is now used also for weddings and Noh plays. Some scholars believe the heiden, or hall of worship, has its origins in the kagura-den.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Maidono, JAANUS, accessed on July 12, 2010