By the time the Yaro-kabuki era ended around the Genroku period [1688-1704], Kabuki had developed greatly in both Edo and Kamigata [Kyoto and Osaka areas].
Ichikawa Danjuro 1st, who specialized in Aragoto, was active in Edo.
"Aragoto" is a stirring and powerful art expressed by costumes and makeup including Kumadori and by acting techniques such as Mie and Roppo. Edo was a city centered around bushi (samurai) so this type of art was popular there. Aragoto is also said to have been influenced by Kimpira-joruri which was extremely popular during the Manji and Empo periods [1658-1681].
Ichikawa Danjuro 1st, who specialized in Aragoto, was active in Edo.
"Aragoto" is a stirring and powerful art expressed by costumes and makeup including Kumadori and by acting techniques such as Mie and Roppo. Edo was a city centered around bushi (samurai) so this type of art was popular there. Aragoto is also said to have been influenced by Kimpira-joruri which was extremely popular during the Manji and Empo periods [1658-1681].
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The illustration shows Ichikawa Danjuro acting the part of Soga Goro in "Tsuwamono kongen soga." The vigorous figure of Goro ready to pull a large bamboo out by the roots, epitomizes Danjuro's art of stirring Aragoto. Danjuro was also active as a writer under the pen name Mimasuya Hyogo.
After Ichikawa Danjuro 1st died, Aragoto was perfected by his son Ichikawa Danjuro 2nd. Aragoto has been passed down to the present mainly by the Ichikawa Danjuro family line. |
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