Defence of dance: “Kaguyahime” by Jiří Kylián

The article presents analysis of the “Kaguyahime” ballet by major contemporary choreographer Jiří Kylián. The study examines traditional features of Japanese music and performing arts and their transformation within the texture of the piece. It is noted that the choreographer did not borrow bluntly the ethnic choreographic vocabulary in its pure form but rather developed a unique body language of his own. It is concluded that the understanding Jiří Kylián showed for the stylistic nature of the music material is a sort of a starting point in the process of devising the structure and imagery of the piece.