"Kanadehon chushingura" is one of the most important plays in the Kabuki repertoire. This Jidaimomo Gidayu-kyogen depicts the revenge by ako roshi (masterless samurai of the former Ako clan) which occurred in the Genroku period.
The setting of the story is changed to that of the Taiheiki historical chronicle describing troubles in the Nambokucho era, and the names used for the characters are based on people named in the Taiheiki. The actual Kira Kozukenosuke becomes Ko Morono, Asano Takuminokami becomes Enya Hangan, and Oishi Kuranosuke appears on stage as Oboshi Yuranosuke.
The setting of the story is changed to that of the Taiheiki historical chronicle describing troubles in the Nambokucho era, and the names used for the characters are based on people named in the Taiheiki. The actual Kira Kozukenosuke becomes Ko Morono, Asano Takuminokami becomes Enya Hangan, and Oishi Kuranosuke appears on stage as Oboshi Yuranosuke.
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The story has a total of 11 dan (acts), beginning with the act in which Ko Morono makes improper advances to Kaoyo Gozen, wife of Enya Hangan, and ending with the 47 samurai including Oboshi Yuranosuke, after working hard and taking great pains, succeeding in their raid on Morono's mansion.
Together with "Sugawara denju tenarai kagami" and "Yoshitsune sembonzakura," "Kanadehon chushingura" is considered one of the 3 great masterpieces of Gidayu-kyogen. "Kanadehon chushingura" was regularly performed by the great actors of each period, so a refined version of its production has been handed down to us today. Particularly splendid are the finely detailed Otowayagata (Otowa family acting forms) designed by each generation of Onoe Kikugoro for the role of Hayano Kampei in the Godamme (5th act) and Rokudamme (6th act).
Together with "Sugawara denju tenarai kagami" and "Yoshitsune sembonzakura," "Kanadehon chushingura" is considered one of the 3 great masterpieces of Gidayu-kyogen. "Kanadehon chushingura" was regularly performed by the great actors of each period, so a refined version of its production has been handed down to us today. Particularly splendid are the finely detailed Otowayagata (Otowa family acting forms) designed by each generation of Onoe Kikugoro for the role of Hayano Kampei in the Godamme (5th act) and Rokudamme (6th act).
<Three great masterpieces of Gidayu-kyogen>
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| Culture Digital Library: Work explanation "Kanadehon chushingura" |
The opening part of the first act of a Jidaimono is called Daijo. At present, the only Daijo production still done is that for "Kanadehon chushingura."
Before the Makuaki (curtain-up), a Kojo-ningyo (messenger puppet) appears on stage and introduces the play's cast in a unique way of speaking. Then the "Tozaigoe," the word tozai, is shouted repeatedly (requesting that everyone, east and west, be quiet), and the Ki (wooden clappers) are struck together slowly while the Joshiki-maku (formal Kabuki curtain with vertical stripes of black, persimmon and green) is slowly opened to reveal all actors in the play, on stage, face down like puppets. When the Takemoto chanter recites the name of each character, the actors face up one by one.
Solemn and ceremonial Daijo scenes such as the above are used for the beginning of long, large-scale plays.
Before the Makuaki (curtain-up), a Kojo-ningyo (messenger puppet) appears on stage and introduces the play's cast in a unique way of speaking. Then the "Tozaigoe," the word tozai, is shouted repeatedly (requesting that everyone, east and west, be quiet), and the Ki (wooden clappers) are struck together slowly while the Joshiki-maku (formal Kabuki curtain with vertical stripes of black, persimmon and green) is slowly opened to reveal all actors in the play, on stage, face down like puppets. When the Takemoto chanter recites the name of each character, the actors face up one by one.
Solemn and ceremonial Daijo scenes such as the above are used for the beginning of long, large-scale plays.
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