also: とうぶ · わらわまい
noun
court dance performed by children
Historical term referring to a traditional dance performed by children at the imperial court or in Shinto rituals.
童舞は、平安時代の宮中で行われていた子供の舞楽です。
Dōbu is a children's court dance that was performed at the imperial court during the Heian period.
神社の祭礼で童舞が奉納された。
A dōbu was dedicated at the shrine festival.
Bugaku is a broader category of traditional Japanese court dance and music, while dōbu specifically refers to dances performed by children.
From 童 (child) + 舞 (dance). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since the Heian period to refer to children's dances in court and ritual contexts.