The Japanese word “mai” translates to “dance,” but its meaning goes beyond that.
” mai” is a dance performed to please the gods, as indicated by its Chinese characters. It was also used to entertain the emperor.
The movie “Myth,” starring Jackie Chan, offers a good example of this. In the movie, Qin Shi Huangdi, the emperor of China, collected beautiful princesses from neighboring countries to be kept in his palace. Among them were Korean princesses.
One of the Korean princesses was on her way to Qin Dynasty when she was attacked by bandits. General Mong Yi, sent by Qin Dynasty to retrieve her, saved her. As they journeyed together, General Mong Yi developed affection for the princess.
Before they arrived in Qin Dynasty, the princess asked General Mong Yi to perform a “mai dance,” but he refused, saying it was reserved for the emperor’s eyes only. The princess silently performed the “Mai dance” for him. At first, General Mong Yi turned away, but then he saw the dance. He realized that he loved the princess, and his heart was filled with joy.
They loved each other but couldn’t express their feelings. If they did, the princess’s kingdom would be destroyed, and all of General Mong Yi’s family would be killed. General Mong Yi safely delivered the princess to Qin Shi Huangdi.
In the present day, General Mong Yi is reincarnated and led to the emperor’s tomb, where he finds the princess, who has been waiting for him for 2000 years.