In the Bunka/Bunsei period [1804 ~ 1830], various aspects of townspeople's culture came into bloom. In Kabuki, the writer called Tsuruya Namboku 4th was active. The distinctions of Namboku's works are their realistic representations of the common people of the time, and striking plots in which ghosts play active parts. These are clearly evident in Namboku's most important work, "Tokaido yotsuya kaidan" [hereafter referred to as "Yotsuya kaidan"] which is performed even now.
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![Matsumoto Koshiro 5th [right] and Onoe Kikugoro 3rd [second from left] in "Ehon gappo ga tsuji" written by Namboku](images/img_2_08-01.jpg) |
Many great actors who influenced later Kabuki appeared in this period. Matsumoto Koshiro 5th is particularly typical of this period. His specialty was performing Jitsuaku, the roles of thoroughly evil villains who are the focus of works that include various villains' roles. The dramatic techniques, including costume design, used for the role of Nikki Danjo as presently performed in "Meiboku sendaihagi" 'Yukashita' scene, have been inherited from Matsumoto Koshiro 5th.
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Iwai Hanshiro 5th, an Onnagata popular for his charming appearance, played the role of a character who did evil things such as extortion and murder in "Osome hisamatsu ukina no yomiuri," written by Namboku. He established the role type called "Akuba" (evil woman).
Onoe Kikugoro 3rd who performed in many Namboku's ghost story plays including "Yotsuya kaidan," and Ichikawa Danjuro 7th who played Tamiya Iemon in "Yotsuya kaidan" and established the Iroaku (handsome villain) role type in the new era, can be mentioned as successors to the 2 great figures described above. |
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| > Representative repertoire items: "Tokaido yotsuya kaidan" |
| > Representative repertoire items: "Meiboku sendaihagi" |
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