ABSTRACT
This chapter examines kibigaku, a variant of gagaku music. Gagaku came to Japan from China and become thoroughly Japanized and integrated into the life of the court, providing music for private pleasure as well as civil and religious ceremonies. The new ritual music, kibigaku covered all aspects of Shinto worship in the Kurozumi-kyo, ranging from the large public services to a number of private functions, including funerals. Worship in the Kurozumi-kyo takes place at several levels: individual or personal worship at home, individual or as a congregational worship at the local church, and as a meeting of believers from throughout the country at seasonal grand services conducted in Okayama, either at the Munetada Jinja shrine or at the newer Daikyo-den, Great Teaching Hall. The Kurozumi-kyo worships Ama Terasu O Mi-kami, or the Sun Goddess, the prime deity in the Shinto pantheon, the creator of the universe, whose power is manifested also in the 800 myriads of other deities.
