saho no mai

Sahō no mai refers to "dances of the left" within the Japanese court dance repertoire known as bugaku. These dances are derived from traditional forms imported from various Asian countries, including China, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia.1

Sahō no mai is distinguished by its accompaniment of tōgaku music, which is mainly derived from Chinese forms. The costumes for these dances typically feature red hues, contrasting with the blue or green costumes of the "dances of the right" (uhō samai no mai). Bugaku dances are characterized by highly conventionalized movements, stylized positions of the body, and simple geometric patterns in their choreography. Dancers often wear masks, some of which have movable parts and are designed to represent specific characters.1

A mai in a broader sense is a slow Japanese folk or theater dance that emphasizes hand gestures, differentiating it from odori.2