Shōdan in Okina
Senzai Dance
The performance of Senzai’s two dances features the three kotsuzumi drums in strict rhythmic setting and a non-congruent nohkan part. These short, dynamic dances incorporate upper-body movements accentuated by swirling sleeves and pointing gestures, combined with lower-body motions characterized by stamping.
The kotsuzumi part supports the first dance with a three-beat pattern, introduced in the Senzai Song-1.
It supports the second dance, with a two-beat pattern “ta – po”, set over a four-beat kakegoe pattern–the same pattern found in Senzai’s Song-2. It is also used in Senzai’s second song and in Momidashi:
The nohkan supports both dances with its Senzai no mai pattern, which comprised four phrases. All four phrases are performed in the first dance, while only the first two are used in the second. Each phrase begins with a pattern in a different register, progressing from high to middle, low, and finally very low. The first phrase begins with “O-hya”, in the highest register, the second with “Hi-ya” in the middle, the third with “Hi-u” in the low, while with “Ho-hya” concludes in its very low register.