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The traditional kaomise in Kyôto at the Minamiza
with the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII and the
hatsubutai of Ichikawa Shinnosuke VIII.
Sumôba:
"Futatsu Chôchô" means "two butterflies" and also comes from the fact that
two sumô wrestlers who play important
roles in the full length play have names beginning with "chô":
Chôkichi and Chôgorô. In order to help his master Yamazakiya Yogorô (Ichikawa Somegorô) buy out the contract of the
beautiful Azuma (Nakamura Kazutarô), the senior wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô throws a match,
letting the younger wrestler Hanaregoma Chôkichi win, hoping to get his help.
But Chôkichi loses his temper and the two end up competing in a test of pride.
Starring popular actor Nakamura Ganjirô as Chôgorô and Nakamura Hayato as Chôkichi.
Uirô Uri: there are many plays based on the revenge by the Soga brothers
on Kudô Suketsune (Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku), the man that arranged to have their father killed.
In this particular play, this dramatic fight is transformed into light fantasy
by showing one of the Soga brothers disguised as a peddler of uirô, a medicine
that makes it possible to speak quickly and elegantly. The highlight of the
play is a long speech full of puns and wordplays. Starring Ichikawa Shinnosuke as the peddler.
Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Senjaku and Kataoka Takatarô.
Otokodate Hana no Yoshiwara: Gosho no Gorozô (Ichikawa Danjûrô), the most gallant and chivalrous of men in the capital
of Edo, is off to the bustling Nakanochô corner of the
Yoshiwara pleasure district. He has received a love letter from his
lover, a famous keisei in Yoshiwara.
Gorozô tells us the story of how they met and their many rendezvous in a dance. On his way, he is ambushed by
men who hold a grudge against him, but Gorozô effortlessly fends them off and continues on his way to his beloved.
Kagekiyo: The powerful Heike warrior Akushichibyôe Kagekiyo (Ichikawa Danjûrô)
is captured and imprisoned by his enemies, the Genji clan. He uses his superhuman strength
to smash his way out of his prison cell, and then struggles with his enemies in a violent and spectacular tachimawari.
Featuring also Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku (Chichibu Shôji Shigetada), Nakamura Jakuemon (Akoya) and Ichikawa Udanji (Iwanaga Saemon).
A rare play from Kabuki Jûhachiban,
the collection of the Eighteen Favorite Plays of the Ichikawa Family.
Gion Ichiriki Jaya: "Chûshingura" is one of
the most popular plays in the theatre and shows a true event when forty-seven
masterless samurai avenged the death of their lord by killing his enemy.
The seventh act is one of the most popular and shows the leader of the vendetta
Yuranosuke as he is hiding his intention to avenge his lord’s death by pretending
to be only interested in pleasure, but also encountering key figures on
his side and the side of the enemy. Yuranosuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon)
spends his days and nights in the pleasure quarters of Kyôto in an effort to
make their lord’s enemy, Moronô, believe he is not planning a vendetta.
His acting is so good that even men in his own group believe he has given his
life up to pleasure. Moronô is not so easily convinced, though, and has sent spies,
including a former retainer of their late lord, En'ya Hangan, to find Yuranosuke's
true intentions. Okaru (Kataoka Takatarô), the wife of one of the retainers is now a
courtesan at the Ichiriki Teahouse, unaware that her husband is dead.
Okaru's brother Heiemon (Nakamura Shikan), a servant in the Hangan household,
has also come to the teahouse and the interaction of these characters
becomes a matter of life and death and ends with Yuranosuke preparing to
lead the vendetta.
Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience
is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various
important events. In this case, all the stars of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei of
Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII and the hatsubutai of Ichikawa Shinnosuke VIII.
Sukeroku: the dandy Sukeroku is the most famous patron of the
Yoshiwara pleasure quarters.
But his reputation as the lover of Agemaki,
the highest ranking courtesan in the quarter is matched by that of his
tendency to pick fights. In fact, Sukeroku is the samurai Soga no Gorô
in disguise, and he uses the fights to find a lost heirloom sword.
His search takes place in the colorful atmosphere of the Yoshiwara
where processions of beautiful courtesans compete with the splendor of
cherry blossoms in full bloom. All the top stars in Kabuki appear in
a procession of beautiful, exciting and amusing roles.
Starring Ichikawa Danjûrô and Nakamura Kazutarô/Nakamura Kotarô as Hanakawado Sukeroku and Miuraya Agemaki.
Featuring also Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Kotarô/Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Shikan and Nakamura Kashô
in the roles of Ikyû, Mankô, the shirozake seller Shinbê, Fukuyama Jukichi, the courtesan Miuraya Shiratama, the passer-by, Kanpera Monbê and Asagao Senpei.
Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website
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