Yotsuyakaidann (Ghost story in Yotsuya) 2015/12/13
Yesterday I went to National Theater to watch Kabuki play. The play was “ Yotsuyakaidann” which is one of well known Kabuki acts.
It was written by a famous writer, Tsuruya Nannboku and firstly performed in 1825 at Nakamura Theater in Edo.
The story tells a villain who killed several innocent people including his own wife was severely annoyed by the dreadful ghost of the wife and finally revenged by right persons. The play had a background of a famous revenge story of “Chushinngura” which is based on the actual tragedy happened in 1702 in Edo. The tragedy was performed by 47 loyal Samurais who took revenge for their lord and finally were sentenced to death despite of their selfless and loyal spirits. “Chushinngura” is still most popular and beloved revenge tragedy among even modern Japanese.
One of key points of this play is quick change of roles played by the main actor, Ichikawa Somegoro who plays 4 roles. Whenever he changed roles instantly, astonished roars occurred among audience. Another point is hanging in midair. Ichikawa Somegoro was hanged in air at the several points of the drama. Audience looked up with surprise, then, big applause followed.
Kabuki has become traditional old play nowadays. However it presented most modern and revolutionary art with various tremendous performance when Kabuki was born in early Edo era.
There are three major traditional theater arts in Japan, namely Kabuki, Noh and Bunraku puppet.
Kabuki is most popular among modern Japanese. It was Saturday afternoon and the theater which has 1600 seats was full with fully satisfied audience.
