Hakuou Matsumoto returns to Kabuki for the first time in 8 months and is "surprised at how big he has become" as he co-stars with his grandson Somegoro in "Nijo Castle no Kiyomasa."
Hakuou Matsumoto returns to Kabuki for the first time in 8 months and is "surprised at how big he has become" as he co-stars with his grandson Somegoro in "Nijo Castle no Kiyomasa."
Kabuki actor Hakuou Matsumoto will perform for the first time since January at the 10th anniversary "Hideyama-festival September Grand Kabuki" (September 25, last day), which opened on September 2 2023. He returned to the Kabuki for the first time in months.
The day's play "Nijojo no Kiyomasa'' is one of the "Hideyama Ten Types'', which collects the roles of the first generation of Kichiemon and depicts Kato Kiyomasa's loyalty to Hideyoshi, Hideyoshi's son. This is a masterpiece of new Kabuki, with an impressive bond between Hideyori and Hideyoshi that goes beyond that of master and servant. Hakuou played the role of Kiyomasa Kato, and his grandson, Somegoro Ichikawa, played the role of Hideyori Toyotomi.
This time, we performed "Yodogawa Goza-ship port'', which depicts the scene on the ship returning home after a successful meeting at Nijo Castle with Tokugawa Ieyasu, who wants to destroy the Toyotomi clan.
When the curtain opens, we see Kato Kiyomasa (Hakuou) standing on a "Goza-ship'' floating down the Yodo River at night. Kiyomasa's first voice shakes the atmosphere of the theatre and immediately draws you into the world of the work. Soon, Toyotomi Hideyori (Somegoro), a man of intelligence and grace, appears on the ship.
Hakuou, who plays Kiyomasa, is surprised to see his grandson Somegoro working with Hideyori for the second time, saying, "I'm surprised at how big he has become,'' expressing Kiyomasa's deep love for him as he watches over Hideyori's growth and Hideyori's affection for Kiyomasa as his "grandfather.
Some sobs were heard from the audience as the scene overlapped with the appearance of Hakuou and Somegoro, who appeared together as Grandfather and Grandson. Kiyomasa's line, "I don't think I want to die tonight,'' resonates even more deeply with me.
Hakuou took a break from Kabuki after appearing in the musical "Man of La Mancha'', the final performance in April 2023. Throughout the performance, he delivered his lines with passion from beginning to end, and the audience gave him thunderous applause.
This year's "Hideyama Festival'' is being held to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of Hakuou's younger brother, second-generation Nakamura Kichiemon, who died in 2021 at 77.
Hakuou said, "Since he's my only younger brother, I wanted to appear in the show. Even now, I remember the two children playing together, imitating "Nozakimura'' and "Moritsuna Jinya'' on the mouth-shamisen. I remember those days very much,'' he said of his memories.
Hakuou Matsumoto returns to Kabuki for the first time in 8 months and is "surprised at how big he has become" as he co-stars with his grandson Somegoro in "Nijo Castle no Kiyomasa."
https://hochi.news/articles/20230902-OHT1T51188.html?page=1
Add info No1)
NIJO-JO NO KIYOMASA - Synopsis
A)
1)
After a glorious victory at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu(1593-1615), the son and legitimate heir of the late Toyotomi Hideyoshi(1537-98), who had ruled Japan since the end of the 16th century, became the heir to the throne.
2)
Fearing that Hideyori may threaten his power, Ieyasu and his followers want to eliminate the young man, but his protector is the brilliant and respected commander Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611).
3)
Although Kiyomasa has sided with Ieyasu in his recent military campaigns and is therefore trusted by Ieyasu, he also feels tremendous loyalty to the memory of his former master, Hideyoshi.
B)
4)
The year is 1611, and Tokugawa Ieyasu visits Kyoto.
Although he is now the country's supreme ruler, there is still great antagonism between Ieyasu's stronghold in the east and the city of Osaka, where Toyotomi Hideyori resides.
5)
Ieyasu has invited Hideyori to visit him at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, against his mother's and others' wishes.
With him is the wise commander Kato Kiyomasa, who insists on accompanying him despite his illness.
C)
6)
The scene's plot that will not be performed this month is as follows.
When Hideyori arrives at the castle, he is greeted by Ieyasu and a group of Tokugawa retainers.
Kiyomasa protests that it is strange for others of lesser rank to be present during a private conversation between Ieyasu and Hideyori, but Hideyori tells him to let it pass.
7)
When the young lord is offered sake, he carefully checks with Kiyomasa before drinking in case it is poisoned, when Honda Sado no kami tries to approach Hideyori with a gift from Ieyasu.
Kiyomasa stops him from approaching in case of an assassination attempt.
8)
Finally, Ieyasu asks Hideyori a series of searching questions. Still, the young lord can answer all of them, and aided by Kiyomasa's stubborn behaviour, this tense meeting comes to a successful conclusion.
D)
9)
The scene of this month's performance takes place on the Yodo River aboard a large boat of the Goza-ship type, specially decorated for the exclusive use of daimyo lords or members of the aristocracy.
Hideyori and Kiyomasa return to Osaka.
10)
That night, some Tokugawa supporters make another attempt on Hideyori's life, but Kiyomasa bravely fights them off with a pistol.
Kiyomasa prays to the gods and Buddhas for a swift end to this night and thanks for the safe conclusion of the day's meeting.
11)
Finally, Hideyori himself comes out on deck.
Knowing that Kiyomasa is seriously ill, Hideyori sincerely thanks him for his loyalty.
But in response, Kiyomasa takes from his breast pocket a dagger given to him by Hideyori's father, Hideyoshi.
12)
If something had gone wrong and the worst had happened, he was prepared to use it on the young man and now apologises.
Kiyomasa remembers Hideyori as a young boy and wishes his father could have witnessed his bravery today.
His bravery and maturity move the older man to tears.
13)
Filled with genuine affection, Hideyori begs Kiyomasa not to die.
At last, the shape of Osaka Castle itself comes into view, and for a while, even Kiyomasa can feel relieved.
Add info No2)
"Man of La Mancha" Hakuho Matsumoto applauds on stage for the 1324th time in total.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230424/k10014047951000.html
The final performance of the musical Man of La Mancha, in which Kabuki actor Hakuho Matsumoto has played the lead role for more than half a century, ended on the 24th, with the audience applauding for the 1324th time.
Man of La Mancha' is a musical based on the Spanish novel 'Don Quixote'. Hakuho Matsumoto played the lead role in Japan for 54 years from 1969.
Hakuho was scheduled to give his last performance in February last year (2022). Still, it was cancelled midway through due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and the final version was rescheduled for the 14th of this month (April).
On the final day, the 24th, about 1,300 people came to a theatre in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, to see the 80-year-old Shirahachi give her last "La Mancha" performance.
When he finished her 2.5-hour performance, her 1324th total, the audience gave him a standing ovation and shouted "Thank you'' and "Bravo''.
Add info No3)
Man of La Mancha - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3 %81%AE%E7%94%B7
"Man of La Mancha" is a musical based on the novel "Don Quixote" by Cervantes.
Synopsis
The setting is medieval Spain. Playwright Miguel de Cervantes is arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of blaspheming the Catholic Church. In prison, Cervantes was about to have his belongings stripped off by thieves, murderers, and other inmates, so to protect his script, Cervantes acted out the story of "Don Quixote'' in the prison and invited the prisoners to improvise.
Performance in Japan
In Japan, the Japanese version has been famous since 1969, with the current second-generation Hakuou Matsumoto playing the lead role, but in 1970, he played this role in English as well on Broadway.
It closed on April 24, 2023, with the number of performances exceeding 1,324.
Add info No.4)
[Kabuki] Plot summary for "Tsuchigumo" A creepy spider's web attacks Minamoto no Yorimitsu!
The Kabuki play "Tsuchigumo'' is a Nagauta dance drama based on the Noh play "Tsuchigumo''. The programme includes an impressive scene in which a sinister Tsuchigumo ghost spectacularly throws spider threads.
https://jp-culture.jp/tsuchigumo/
Synopsis of "Tsuchigumo"
Minamoto no Yorimitsu, a general of the Genji clan, famous for his bravery, caught a cold from visiting his mistress and getting wet with the morning dew and lay on the floor of his mansion in Kyoto.
His vassal Yasumasa Hirai, worried about his well-being, comes to check on him, but as he shows signs of recovery, he returns with peace of mind.
This time, his maid Kocho has brought medicine. When Yorimitsu asks if it is autumn in Kyoto, Kochō delights Yorimitsu by performing her dance while talking about the famous places to see autumn leaves in Kyoto.
Afterwards, as Raikou returns to bed and night falls, a monk appears somewhere.
The monk, who came from Mt. Hiei and called himself Chichu, said he had come to pray for Raiko's quick recovery from his illness.
Yorimitsu hears Chichu's talk of Buddhist training and asks for a prayer. However, Otowaka, the swordsman, sees Chichu's shadow illuminated by the lights, realises his true identity, and stands before Chichu.
When Yorimitsu sees this, he pulls out his famous Hizamaru sword and slashes at Chichu, who spins a spider's web and runs away with an eerie look on his face.
When Yasumasa learns of this, he rushes to the temple. He believes that Chichu's true identity is the spirit of Tsuchigumo and that the nature of Tsuchigumo also causes Raiko's illness.
Yorimitsu agrees and orders Yasumasa and his four subordinates to destroy the Tsuchigumo.
Yasumasa and his friends follow the trail of Tsuchigumo's blood, which leads to an old mound behind Toji Temple. When the servants destroy the bank, a sinister-looking earth-spider spirit appears from inside and attacks Yasumasa and his friends.
In an attempt to turn Japan into the demon world, the Tsuchigumo Ghost expresses his resentment that he first tried to kill Raiko but failed due to the majesty of the famous Hizamaru sword and attacks Yasumasa and his friends with a thousand threads.
Although Yasumasa and the Four Heavenly Kings had a hard time, they gradually cornered the Tsuchigumo Ghost, and in the end, the Tsuchigumo Ghost met a gruesome lot.
Add info No5)
Gion Festival Faith Record - Kinkaku Temple
https://enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp/repertoire/338/
There was a rebel plotting to conquer Japan and obtain beautiful women simultaneously.
Will the hostage rescue mission of the wise general who stands in the way of his ambition succeed?
What is the masterpiece trick that the beautiful wife uses when her husband is in crisis?
The shogun's mother and snow princess(Yuki-hime), the granddaughter of the painter Sesshu, are imprisoned in the Kinkaku temple by the evil Matsunaga Daizen, who wants to take over the entire world.
The man who used his wits to come to the rescue was a famous general named Tokichi Kinoshita.
In her desperate situation, Yukihime remembered the old legend of her family and drew a mouse with her toes, and the same miracle happened to her grandfather, Sesshu.
This kabuki drama depicts an incident during the cherry blossom season, set at Kyoto's famous Kinkaku Temple.
// Postscript //
Interestingly, the Kabuki play "Kinkaku-temple" and the opera "Tosca" have something in common.
In Kabuki, the Snow Princess(Yuki-hime) has her husband, a painter, imprisoned, and her villain orders her to paint a picture of a dragon or become his own woman.
Tosca kills the villain in the opera, and she wants to run away with her boyfriend, but the villain's side kills him. She is disappointed and commits suicide herself.
But Snow Princess remembers her grandfather's legend.
She draws a mouse with cherry blossom petals and her tears, and the mouse gnaws her rope so she can run away.
But a villain brother can find her and a good warlord rescues her.
Snow Princess heads to her husband, who has fled to his safe place.
Add info No6)
Kabukiza New Opening 10th Anniversary
Hideyama Festival September Kabuki
Memorial service for the third anniversary of Nakamura Kichiemon's death
https://www.kabuki-bito.jp/theaters/kabukiza/play/827
Add info No7)
Kanjincho - Establishment of Matsubamemono
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6NO2LzY7AI
Fantastic singing and acting! A glimpse of the public rehearsal for Koshiro Matsumoto's "Man of La Mancha"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zg_lbw_Bfo
"Man of La Mancha" promotional video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7f-pKz7dI
KABUKI Theater STAR WARS: A Japanese dance-drama from a Galaxy Far Far Away! FULL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ8VtEw5DgE
