Invitation to Kabuki - Guidance for Kabuki appreciation
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Expression in Kabuki
Expression of various roles
Here, the expression "Sono yaku rashisa" (looks like that role) is explained based on actual roles. Click on each of the following photographs.
 
Umeoumaru Izaemon Sekimori Sekibe (actually Otomo Kuronushi) Sogano Iruka Kamiyui Shinza Sato Tadanobu (actually Genkurogitsune) Miuraya Agemaki Yaegakihime Kirare Otomi
 
Umeoumaru played by Nakamura Kankuro 5th (Nakamura Kanzaburo 18th), "Sugawara denju tenarai kagami" 'Yoshidasha kurumabiki' scene, December 1981
Umeoumaru
"Sugawara denju tenarai kagami" Commonly called 'Kurumabiki' scene
To repertoire explanation
Umeoumaru is a young man full of desire for justice, who wants to fight his enemy, Fujiwara Shihei.
Role Aragoto
The character of a young determined man who has a strong sense of justice is expressed in this Aragoto role. The photograph shows the moment of "Genroku Mie," a typical Mie (pose) in Aragoto. Raising his left big toe expresses the power which is the unique charactoristic of Aragoto acting as shown in the picture.
 
 
Costume Doji-goshi pattern
The large purple lattice pattern called Doji-goshi is used to emphasize is the role of a child. Also, relating to the name of the character, ume (Japanese apricot) flowers are embroidered on the juban (kimono underwear).
Costume Obi (sash): Maruguke (huge cylindrical belt)
A Maruguke obi (sash) is used for Aragoto characters. A large amount of cotton batting is tightly packed into this large cylindrical obi. Its total length is nearly 7m, and it is wound 3 times around the waist of the actor's kimono, then tied tightly. Maruguke as part of a costume exaggerates the character's power.
 
 
Katsura (wig) Kurumabin
A Kurumabin wig has the bin (hair on the sides of head) stiffened by hard bintsuke (wax) and made into the shape of several spokes. This is one of the typical wigs used for Aragoto. It is also used for Kamakura Gongoro in "Shibaraku" and for other Aragoto roles. Also, Umeoumaru is depicted as a young man too young for gempuku (celebration of a samurai youth's coming of age, usually around age 16 or 18). Therefore, his forelock (adult males shaved this off) is shown on the wig as the rounded and tufted forelock called Tsukamidate (the left and right bottom halves of the forelock are vertical as if they've been pulled straight, and the top halves hang down). These 2 parts (Kurumabin and Tsukamidate) are combined for the wig of Umeoumaru, expressing the Aragoto role of a youth.
 
> Representative repertoire items: "Shibaraku"
 
 
Makeup Sujiguma
Sujiguma, a typical example of Kumadori, expresses a character who is filled with desire for justice and who acts with youthful ardor in a stylized way. Sujiguma clearly expresses Umeoumaru's anger against Shihei.
 
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