However, it is considered that this ancient masked drama may be the oldest staged public entertainment in Japan introduced from the Chinese continent to Japan in about the seventh century, or it may be originated from some variety show performance introduced from the continent during the Nara period.
7世紀頃に中国大陸より日本に伝わった日本最古の舞台芸能である伎楽や、奈良時代に大陸より伝わった散楽に端を発するのではないかと考えられている。