As the use of the word 'mai' instead of 'odori' suggests in Japanese, the dance is characterized by extremely rigid movements and tension of the body, yet creating rich images with simple motions; inspired by Noh dances when she worked for the Konoe Family, Ichijo Family, and the Sento Imperial Palace, the founder of this dance, Yachiyo INOUE, created a dance that was presentable in front of distinguished persons, and its teaching has been passed down by word of mouth ever since.
「躍り」とは言わず「舞」とする点を見てもわかるように、極度に硬い描線と身体の緊張を核として簡素な動きのなかに豊富なイメージを描き出そうとする舞であり、初代井上八千代が近衛家、一条家や仙洞御所づとめの折に能に示唆を得て貴顕の前に披露しても恥ずかしくない舞踊を作ったという口伝をそのままに体現した舞踊であるといえる。