Chief of staff - Ninjo

The head of the Naishidokoro Mikagura and the person in charge of the order of the kagura. He is also called the Osa. This role was played by an official from Konoe. The Naishidokoro Mikagura began in May 1002 (4th year of Choho) and was later held in December. The Niwabi is lit in front of the Naishidokoro, with the main seat on the left and the sub-seat on the right. The kagura begins with the head of the Niwabi stepping forward in front of the Niwabi and chanting "Naritakasi, naratakasi" and "Furumafu, furumafu." The head of the Niwabi orders the flute, hichiriki, and koto to play, calls in the poets, and performs other functions such as stomping his feet in front of the Niwabi and dancing while holding a sakaki branch with a ring attached to it. The sakaki tree that the chief priest collected was presented to the Emperor after the sacred dance was completed.

[Shigeru Takayama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

内侍所御神楽(ないしどころみかぐら)の統率者であり、神楽の次第をつかさどる役。人の長(おさ)ともいう。近衛(このえ)の官人によってこの役がなされた。内侍所御神楽は1002年（長保4）の5月に始まり、のち12月に施行されるようになったが、内侍所正面に庭燎(にわび)をたき、向かって左方に本座、右方に末座を設けて行われる。神楽はまず庭燎の前に進み出た人長の「鳴高(なりたか)し、鳴高し」「不留末不(ふるまふ)、ふるまふ」という唱え言で始まる。人長は、笛、篳篥(ひちりき)、琴に演奏を命じ、歌人を召すなどの進行役のほかに、自ら庭燎の前で足を踏む所作をしたり、輪のついた榊(さかき)を手に持って舞った。この人長の採物(とりもの)の榊は御神楽が済むと天皇に献上された。

［高山　茂］

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