Discover KABUKI 2022

Program

In this performance “Discover KABUKI”, popular Kabuki pieces will be performed by the fine Kabuki actors for much wider audience to casually experience the fascinating world of Kabuki, which has a history of 400 years.“Discover KABUKI” consists of two parts to guide you to the world of KABUKI.

1KABUKI Guidance“How to Appreciate KABUKI in English”

　A Kabuki actor and a TV personality will guide you “how to appreciate Kabuki” both in English and Japanese.

2Experience the live performance of Kabuki “Momijigari”(Maple Viewing)

　This piece is themed on the legend of the defeat of the demon of Mt. Togakushi by the Heian period warrior Taira no Koremochi. One of the highlights of the first half of the drama is the elegant dance performed by Princess Sarashina. In the latter half, Koremochi bravely challenges the Princess transformed into the horrible demon, launching a fierce battle. Please enjoy the charm of flamboyant Kabuki dance!

A free audio guide in English or Japanese is available for this program,
along with English subtitles and a free multilingual booklet (in English,
Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French and Japanese)
that includes the highlights and outline of the story.

What's KABUKI?

　Kabuki came into existence around 1603 with the arrival in Kyoto of a troupe of dancing girls led by a certain Izumo-no-Okuni, formerly a shrine maiden. Their dances created a sensation and were labelled "Kabuki" which, at that time, meant "unorthodox" or "eccentric". Such troupes of women were subsequently banned as were those of the dancing boys that took their place. They were succeeded by groups of adult men whose performances developed into Kabuki as it now exists. In the process, the original meaning of the word kabuki changed to become Ka(Song), Bu(Dance), Ki(Technique or Skill).
　Kabuki originally consisted of short dances but the repertoire now is huge and is made up of both plays and dances, most of which date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Originally the principal entertainment of the urban merchant classes, Kabuki is the traditional, popular theater of Japan and continues to flourish and draw large audiences. Kabuki is also attracting increasing attention abroad and is now regarded as one of the world's great theatrical arts, remarkable for its vigour.

Invitation to KABUKI

Cast

Onoe
Shōroku
Bandō
Kamezō
Nakamura
Mantarō
Onoe
Sakon
Nakamura
Tamatarō
Nakamura
Baishi
Ichikawa
Komazō

Taira no Koremochi……　Onoe Shōroku
Princess Sarashina, in reality the demon of Mt.Togakushi……　Nakamura Baishi
Nogiku, a maid……　Nakamura Tamatarō
Sagenta, a retainer……　Onoe Sakon
Ugenta, a retainer……　Bandō Kamezō (2:30pm)
Nakamura Mantarō (11:00am)
The Mountain God……　Bando Kamezō (11:00am)
Nakamura Mantarō (2:30pm)
Tagoto, a lady-in-waiting……　Ichikawa Komazō

Guide

Nakamura
Mantarō
Kisa
Ayako

Story of
Momijigari

(Maple Viewing)

　Momijigari (Maple Viewing) premiered in October 1887 at the Shintomi-za theater in Tokyo. It is modeled on the Noh play, “Momijigari,” which is based on the legend of the Heian period warrior, Taira no Koremochi, who is said to have defeated a demon of Mt. Togakushi in Shinshu (now Nagano Prefecture). The original idea for the choreography was created by Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, who played the role of Princess Sarashina, in reality the demon of Mt. Togakushi, at the premiere. This piece was later selected as one of the Shin-Kabuki Jūhachiban (18 new repertoires of Kabuki plays of the Ichikawa family).

　In the play, Taira no Koremochi, accompanied by attendants, visits Mt. Togakushi for maple viewing. He is waylaid by Princess Sarashina and her waiting maids, who invites them to join her drinking party. While being served high-quality sake, Koremochi and his attendants enjoy the beautiful dances performed by the princess and her waiting maids. Soon, they get drunk and fall asleep while the princess and her waiting maids disappear. Just then, a mountain god appears, warning Koremochi, who is still asleep, about the terror of the demon living on this mountain and he then leaves. Suddenly, a demon who has disguised herself as Princess Sarashina reveals her natural shape and pounces upon Koremochi. Koremochi fights back with his legendary sword Kogarasumaru, whose virtue and power eventually drives the demon away.

　Unlike a traditional Noh stage that features a back panel with a painting of a pine tree, the stage for this drama employs realistic scenery against a backdrop of mountain ranges with the beautiful colors of maple leaves, with a huge pine tree in the center. Regarding the music, it features a large-scale performance called sanpō-kakeai, in which Tokiwazu, Gidayū (Takemoto) and Nagauta are played in concert.

　The highlight of the first half of the drama is the elegant dance performed by Princess Sarashina. Especially, the dance technique of using two folding fans called Nimaiōgi requires both dignity and excellent dancing skills. In the latter half, the beautiful princess transforms into the horrible demon and engages in a fierce sword battle with Koremochi. The traditional directorial techniques of Kabuki, such as kumadori makeup and bukkaeri (quick onstage costume changes), enhance the theatrical effects of the drama. Please pay particular attention to the performance by Koremochi, who displays elegance in appreciating the maples as well as bravery in defeating the demon.

　Moreover, dramatic presentations liven up the performance at various points, such as the dance by the waiting maids and attendants, and the eccentric postures and light cadence of the dances of the mountain god.

　Onoe Shōroku plays the role of the brave, masculine Koremochi, while Nakamura Baishi plays for the first time the role of Princess Sarashina, in reality the demon of Mt. Togakushi. We invite you to relax and enjoy the appeal of Kabuki dance, which is brilliantly showcased in this energetic, fresh performance.