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
 
Miuraya Agemaki played by Onoe Kikugoro 7th, "Sukeroku kuruwa no momoyogusa" 'Miuraya koshi saki' scene, January 1977
Miuraya Agemaki
"Sukeroku yukari no edozakura" Common names: "Sukeroku"
To repertoire explanation
Agemaki is the highest rank keisei(courtesan) ,called tayu. This is an important Onnagata role whitch is requested not only beauty but also dignity. Although the costume for Agemaki is based on those of keisei in Yoshiwara (licensed prostitution qearter of Edo) at the time,it is designed as even more gorgeous and refired in order to be attraactive on stage.
Katsura (wig) Datehyogo
The distinction of a Datehyogo wig is that the lower part of its mage (back hair), called tabo, is very large. A total of nearly 20 hair ornaments such as kanzashi (ornamental hairpins), kogai (ornamental bodkins) and kushi (combs) are used to emphasize its gorgeousness.
 
 
Costume Uchikake & Manaita obi
The gorgeous costume for Miuraya Agemaki is one of the most distinguished stage costume in Kabuki, identifying this character as a tayu (courtesan of the highest rank). It is decorated with motifs showing gosekku (5 seasonal festivals): New Year's, momo no sekku (girls' festival), tango no sekku (boys' festival), tanabata (star festival) and choyo no sekku (chrysanthemum festival). Shimekazari (the sacred rope with tufts of straw and paper) and kadomatsu (New Year's gate decoration pines) are embroidered on the back of Agemaki's uchikake (long outer garment) in the photograph. The type of obi (sash) she wears is called manaita obi, due to its shape of hanging down flat and spreading out like a wide cutting board (manaita). The embroidery on this obi shows jumping carps from a waterfall, symbolizing tango no sekku. After the scene shown in this photograph above, Agemaki appears on stage after changing into another obi embroidered with bamboo and tanzaku (narrow strips of paper) symbolizing of tanabata.
 
 
Props Geta (wooden clogs) with 3 supports
The height of the geta (wooden clogs) worn by Agemaki is over 20cm, and they weigh nearly 3kg. Their design is based on actual geta worn by Edo-period keisei (high rank courtesans) in the Yoshiwara during dochu (processions). The geta are also reproduced in consideration of their balance with the large wig and gorgeous costume.
 
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