ÔMI NO OKANE
   
Dance title Mata Koko-ni Sugata Hakkei  In Japanese
Common titles Ômi no Okane  In Japanese
Danjûrô Musume  In Japanese
Sarashime  In Japanese
Authors Sakurada Jisuke II (lyrics)
Kineya Rokusaburô IV (music)
Fujima Kanjûrô I (choreography)
History

The star Ichikawa Danjûrô VII performed in the 6th lunar month of 1813 at the Moritaza in a 8-role hengemono entitled "Mata Koko-ni Sugata Hakkei", which was based on the eight famous views of the province of Ômi (Ômi Hakkei in Japanese). One of the roles, the one for the view "wild goose swooping down upon Katata in Autumn" ("Katata no Rakugan" in Japanese), has survived and became an independent dance item in the Kabuki repertoire, known under the titles of "Ômi no Okane", "Danjûrô Musume" (the Danjûrô Girl) or "Sarashime" (the Cloth-bleaching Girl).

Key words Biwako
Nagauta
Nuno-zarashi
Ômi
Ômi Hakkei
Sarashime
Shosagoto
Uma
Summary

Okane is a famous strong sarashime living on the shores of Lake Biwa and is famous for stopping a runaway horse with one bare hand while holding her bucket with the other. Okane combines on stage strength and charming femininity. She is a pure-hearted girl, which is not yet ready for love. She is so strong that she has no rival and is always ready to fight if needed. The first section of the dance is about subduing the wild horse. The next section, which is more romantic, is about love and the eight famous views of the province of Ômi. The dance ends with a short summer matsuri dance and a tachimawari in which Okane fights and easily defeats a group of fishermen, who form the shape of a boat with their bodies.

Trivia

This dance was originally using Nagauta and Tokiwazu musical ensembles. Nowadays, only the Nagauta musical accompaniment is used.

The actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII playing the role of Okane in the dance "Mata Koko-ni Sugata Hakkei", which was staged in the 6th lunar month of 1813 at the Moritaza
(print made by Utagawa Toyokuni I)

 
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