MOMIJIGARI |
Dance title | Momijigari |
Authors | Kawatake Mokuami (lyrics) Tsurusawa Yasutarô, Kishizawa Shikisa VI, Kineya Shôjirô III (music) Ichikawa Danjûrô IX (choreography) |
History |
The dance-drama "Momijigari", the Kabuki adaptation of the eponymous Nô drama, was premiered in October 1887 at the Shintomiza [casting]. |
Key words | Shosagoto Nagauta Tokiwazu Gidayû Togakushiyama Matsubamemono Momiji Shin Kabuki Jûhachiban |
Summary |
This scene is autumn in Togakushi mountain. Taira no Koremochi comes there to enjoy maple-tree-viewing, is accompanied by his two lackeys, Ugenta and Sagenta. Koremochi finds that there are preceding visitors, and he lets Ugenta ask who they are. A lady-in-waiting answers, and she says that there is a noble person who is her master there secretly. Ugenta says his master's name Koremochi, but she doesn't say her master's name. Ugenta reports it to Koremochi. Although Koreochi is interested in that noble person, he decides to leave there. Then, a lady-in-waiting comes, and says that her master invites Koremochi to enjoy maple-tree-viewing together. That noble person has known who Koremochi is. Princess Sarashina appears on the stage with many lady-in-waitings. Princess Sarashina is a very beautiful lady, and offers sake to Koremochi. Koremochi is very delighted, and enjoys drinking sake and seeing dance of lady-in-waitings. Koremochi says that he would like Princess Sarashina to dance herself. Princess Sarashina starts dancing. While Princess Sarashina is dancing, Koremochi and his two lackeys have slept. After Princess Sarashina finds they has slept, she leaves there like a wild guy. Mountain God comes there, and finds three sleeping men. He thinks that they might be eaten by the witch who lives in Togakushi mountain. He try to wake them up, but they don't wake up. He gives it up, and leaves there. This scene is an interval that Princess Sarashina changes kimono to a witch from a beautiful lady. After that, Koremochi wakes up. He had a strange dream. In his dream, Mountain God said that Princess Sarashina was a witch. Koremochi says his lackeys to help him to exterminate a witch. But they both run away there. And Koremochi leaves there alone in order to catch a witch, Princess Sarashina, up. Then, a witch and Koremochi come back running to the stage, and they start fighting. Koremochi has a miracle sword, and the witch has lost her power. The witch is cornered to the tree. This summary was written by Sekidobashi Sakura (December 2002) and Shôriya Aragorô (December 2006) |
The actors Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Onoe Kikugorô V playing the roles of Princess Sarashina and Taira no Koremochi in the dance-drama "Momijigari", which was staged in November 1899 at the Kabukiza (print made by Kôchôrô Hôsai) |
|
|
Contact | Main | Top | Updates | Actors | Plays | Playwrights | Programs | Links | FAQ | Glossary | Chronology | Illustrations | Prints | Characters | Derivatives | Theaters | Coming soon | News |