Bettyoko’s Kimono Diary
Go to the theatres in Kimonos Vol. 40
2017 Special Kabuki Performance of Nakamura Kankuro and Nakamura ShichinosukeI went to see “
2017 Special Kabuki Performance of Nakamura Kankuro and Nakamura Shichinosuke”
at Bunkyo Civic hall in Tokyo. This performance had started 2005. This year, it begins with the brother’s talk on art followed by the dance piece “Boshibari” (Tied to a Pole) performed by Nakamura Kankuro and Nakamura Tsurumatsu. The story of the dance performance is about two funny servants. Taro kaja and Jiro kaja are tied up in order not to drink sake during their master’s out. But they cooperate to get into the warehouse and finally drink up sake. Though it is difficult dance with no use of hands, Kankuro completely learned and mastered his family’s dance techniques and his exquisite dance with Nakamura Tsurumatsu, a member of Nakamura family, excited the audience. Next piece is” Fujimusume” (Wisteria Maiden) performed by Nakmura Shicninosuke. When the curtain is raised on the stage the big pine tree hanging many big wisterias catch the audience’s eye. A wisteria fairy is standing right under the tree with maiden’s figure. She is truly beautiful like a dream so that everybody makes sigh deeply. With the nagauta (traditional narrative song sung with shamisen instrument) Shichinosuke gracefully performs the beautiful maiden who is in grief for her lover’s cold-heart and gradually gets drunk. This year Shicninosuke has tried to play three new Kabuki products which gained high acclaimed each, on the other hand I do want him to perform great classic pieces like this with his elder brother Kankuro more. Do you know that we can stand on the stage of “Fujimusume”? At the Kabukiza Gallery on the 5th floor of the Kabukiza Tower we can experience Kabuki through touching many props, costumes and set of Kabuki. There is the set of “Fujimusume” too. You can even ride a horse, make the effective sound of wave and rowing the boat that are used in the real Kabuki play. Please stop by there when you come to Kabukiza Theatre. Pictured here is dyed obi (sash for kimono) on the sale at the shopping site, “Wabijin Hyakkaten” of Kimono Salon magazine. Only wisteria designed obi limited us to wearing it in the flower season, but the evergreen pine design allows us to wear it until autumn season. This performance will be on tour between the theatres through the country until November 26. Who would not want to go to see this performance without this pretty wisteria obi.
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/ 
藤の花だけだと身につける季節が限られますが、常緑の松と一緒に刺繍と金彩であしらわれたこちらの帯なら、今の季節の観劇にもぴったり。
