Matsubame(“Pine Board”)play
【松羽目物】
【MATSUBAMEMONO】
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“Kanjincho”, a representative Matsubame play. Matsumoto Koshiro 9th (Matsumoto Hakuo 2nd) as Benkei and Ichikawa Somegoro 7th (Matsumoto Koshiro 10th) as Togashi. December, 2004 at the National Theatre. （Y_E0100242012022）
Matsubame is a stage equipment of an old pine tree painted on the frontside of the Kabuki stage in imitation of the Noh stage. Bamboos are painted in both wings, an Agemaku of five colors is hung on the left side of the stage, and a small sliding door called Okubyoguchi is located on the right side of the stage. The equipment is used for the dance plays based on Noh or Kyogen. The dance plays in which Matsubame is used are called Matsubame plays.
The picture shows the stage for “Kanjincho”, and this play is considered the first example to employ Matsubame. Many of the Matsubame dance plays that are popular today were produced in the Meiji and Taisho periods for the reason of making the dance a more refined and lofty art.
There are some plays that are often performed today, including “Funabenkei” and “Tsuchigumo” that are based on Noh, and “Suo Otoshi” and “Migawari Zazen” that are based on Kyogen.
The picture shows the stage for “Kanjincho”, and this play is considered the first example to employ Matsubame. Many of the Matsubame dance plays that are popular today were produced in the Meiji and Taisho periods for the reason of making the dance a more refined and lofty art.
There are some plays that are often performed today, including “Funabenkei” and “Tsuchigumo” that are based on Noh, and “Suo Otoshi” and “Migawari Zazen” that are based on Kyogen.
