Ортағасырлық Жапонияның әйел әртістері (Ширабиёши)

Type of female entertainer in medieval Japan

(白拍子) were Japanese female entertainers in the Heian and Kamakura periods who sang songs and performed dances. They danced dressed as men. (白) means "white", although scholars believe that it should be interpreted as ; in this interpretation therefore refers to the lack of musical accompaniment apart from the rhythmic percussion. appeared during the mid Heian period (794–1185). During a time of transition of power and societal change, a change in fortune for some aristocratic families resulted in the daughters of these families needing to perform as in order to survive. As educated and cultured ladies, they become a superior group of courtesans noted for their singing, dancing and poetry as well as beauty. became popular as entertainers in the 12th century, and many women then chose to be because of their popularity. A was always a woman who dressed in men's attire. They were popular in the late Heian and early Kamakura period in the 12th century, but during the 13th century, their status declined. They disappeared around the end of the Kamakura or the beginning of the Muromachi period in the 14th century. It has been said that the culture greatly influenced Noh drama by bringing forth , an unorthodox form of dancing, and introducing it to Noh.

songs were mostly based on Buddhist prayers. The songs were usually slow and rhythmic, with great meaning in the words. They also would sing songs, which were poems using images of nature to convey meanings of circumstances in their lives. These songs typically had lines of seven and five syllables. but survived in others. In some tales, Shizuka was then forced to perform a dance for Yoritomo and his wife Hōjō Masako at a temple celebration, where she sang a song of praise for her lover Yoshitsune. This greatly angered Yoritomo, and he intended on having her put to death but Masako begged for her life. Shizuka was freed and sought to follow Yoshitsune, but she learned of his death. She became a nun and died in 1189.