A waterfall scene using Honmizu in “Imayo Kasane Kesho no Sugatami”. Nakamura Hashinosuke 3rd (Nakamura Shikan 8th) as Yoemon. March, 2001 at the National Theatre.
It refers to the real water used on stage. In general, various devises are used to express the presence of the water in Kabuki, namely by producing the sound of the rain in the Geza music or depicting a scene of the sea or river on a stage set, and Honmizu is not used. However, in some cases, Honmizu may be used.
In the playhouse in the Edo period, as a matter of course, there was no air conditioning available. Therefore, it would become so hot inside with many people gathering. Honmizu was used in performances especially in the summer to bring coolness as much as possible. In addition, it may be used to make the Sewamono plays more realistic. For example, it can be made rain on stage by using Honmizu or the actor pours Honmizu on himself by drawing water from a well, among other stage directions.
The video shows a scene of the waterfall directed by using the volume of Honmizu.
