Relations between Femininity and the Movements in Japanese Traditional Dance

Abstract

This study focused on Onna Odori, a Japanese traditional dance form performed by a female role, and captured the dance of a Japanese traditional dance master. Stick figures were created from the motion data, and 24 observers evaluated the movements of these figures. The results showed that the dance master's movements were evaluated as being feminine. The movements were further analyzed and compared with data from the motion data of beginners' movements. The results showed significant differences in shoulder inclinations, shoulder positions, waist positions, and the standard deviations of hip movements. Finally, this study clarified the relevance of impressions and movement characteristics to femininity by using covariance structure analysis. The results showed that the femininity of Japanese traditional dance was characterized by “softness,” “stable,” “inclinations of both shoulders,” and “slow.”