There are many scholars studying KAGURA and various classification methods are proposed.

One of the major distinction is whether it is Shin-mai or Kyu-mai.

Shin-mai　in Japanese is 新舞. 新 means “new”and 舞 is “dance(dancing)”. 旧(kyu) for kyu-mai means “old, former, or ex-”.

Kyu-mai has been performed since the prewar era. The hayashi is in slow tempo and movements (dance) of the performers are graceful and elegant.

Shin-mai was created after the war. The hayashi is in quick tempo and the movements are brave and lively.