How was the Paekche masked-dance processional kiak used in Japan?

The Buddhist masked-dance processional known as kiak in the Korean kingdom of Paekche was introduced to the Japanese court in 612 CE by a performer named Mimaji, who had learned the art while residing in southern China.123

In Japan, where it is known as gigaku, the performance was utilized as a Buddhist ceremonial for evangelical purposes. Mimaji established an official school to train Japanese dancers and musicians in the art form. Historical descriptions indicate that gigaku consisted of a succession of scenes enacted by characters—such as a Buddhist monk, a princess, a wrestler, and various masked figures—as they passed by the audience.12

While gigaku was initially patronized by the Japanese court, it was eventually supplanted by bugaku court dances and disappeared as a performing art by the 12th century. However, the masks used in these processions, which covered the entire head, remain significant examples of early mask-making and influenced the development of later Japanese theatrical traditions, including Noh.1