◆きもの拝見◆幕間に、中村歌昇さんの奥様・信乃さんにお目にかかりました。夏草が描かれた単衣に、帯は同じモチーフですが、夏帯で。
当日は6月30日。単衣から夏物に替わる難しい時期でしたが、単衣を着るか盛夏の装いにするかは、先輩の奥様にご相談して決められたそう。 季節のドレスコードや同席される方々の間で調和をはかる習慣も、こうして奥様がたの間で教えられ、受け継がれていくのですね。 
「松竹大歌舞伎 東コース」巡業公演は2016年7月31日まで、全国50公演が繰り広げられます。 都会の大劇場とはまた異なる趣きで、わかりやすく見応えのある歌舞伎演目を地元で楽しむことのできる企画。ぜひ、夏のきものでお出かけください。
Bettyokoジュエリージャーナリストとして活躍する傍ら、歌舞伎、文楽、バレエをはじめ観劇ライフを満喫中のBettyと、米国・ヒューストンでの生活経験を生かし、日本文化を海外に伝える活動をしているYokoによるユニット。
https://www.instagram.com/bettyoko.kbk/ Bettyoko's Kimono Diary
Go to the Theatre in Kimonos vol.9
The east-bound road show of the Shochiku Grand Kabuki "Matsuura no Taiko" I went to see the eastbound road show of the Shochiku Grand Kabuki, which started to play on June 30th at the Edogawa Sogo Bunka Center. At the beginning, Ichikawa Somegoro, the leading Kabuki actor of this road show, came on the stage in a suit. He held a guide of highlights of the plays to the audience with adding the information about popular restaurants in the area. He repeated to say "This is the first time for all actors to play the roles, and it is the very first day today!" The play was SHUZAN JUSSHU NO UCHI Matsuura no Taiko. SHUZAN JUSSHU is the digest of the plays which Nakamura Kichiemon I, the great Kabuki actor during the Meiji, Taisho, Showa era, was specialized in performing. Today, Nakamura Kichiemon II is called the successful role of them. Somegoro was taught the techniques of playing this role by his uncle, Kichiemon II. Nakamura Kasho plays the role of Otaka Gengo, which Somegoro has played ever, this time. Somegoro said "We try to passed on the techniques of the playing Kabuki from generation to generation, and hope you recognize it with all your feelings!" The dance SARASHI SANBASO was following this guide, and then Matsuura no Taiko started to play. Matsuura Shizunobu (played by Somegoro) is a samurai lord living to the next to Kira Kozukenosuke's house. He is the class mate with Otaka Gengo(played by Nakamura Kasho) of Haiku lesson, and he hired Gengo's younger sister as his Koshimoto(maid.) He secretly supported the group of Ako samurai to revenge for their master's ritual suicide and waited to the time when they break into Kira's house, but no sigh of it so far. He was in despair of the situation and began to get angry, but finally he listen to the sound of drum, which told the group of Ako samurai avenged their master by raiding Kira's home! The well-born master, Matsuura seriously studied to make a Haiku, suddenly scolded his maid and servants, and changed his mood so quickly, but he seemed very charming. The theater was filled with the laugh of audience many times. On the other hand, at the scenes in which Matsuura neatly explain the situation of the group of Ako samurai and his opinion, and Otaka Gengo reported about their vengeance to Matsuura, the audience erupted into applause. I felt that I was a witness of the moment in which a legend of great Kabuki actor passed on to the next generation. I met Ms. Shino, wife of Nakamura Kasho during the intermission. She wore summer grass designed Hitoe (worn only in June and September) and same designed Natsu obi (Kimono belt for Natumono worn only in July and August). It was June 30. It was little difficult to decide to wear Hitoe kimono or Natsumono kimono. She asked the senior full of experience and picked up the Hitoe. The custom of confirmation of the dress code for each season is taught and passed on between the wives of the Kabuki actors, too. The eastbound Shochiku Grand Kabuki will play 50 times in all over Japan until July 31st. We can experience the different atmosphere from usual Kabuki at the big theater in the central town and enjoy relax but great performance in our hometown. Hope you go to see it in Kimonos!
The unit of Betty and YokoBetty; jewelry journalist, enjoys watching stages of Kabuki, Bunraku, Balllet, and so on. Yoko; lived in the U.S.A for 10 years. Loves to introduce Japanese culture to abroad.
https://www.instagram.com/bettyoko.kbk/ 
