The Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Wakaki no Hana Sugata no Saishiki", commonly called "Sannin Namayoi", was premiered in the 1st lunar month of 1838 at the Ichimuraza [more details]. It was staged within the new year sogamono drama "Date Kurabe Zensei Soga".

After WWII, it was staged 4 times from January 1950 to July 1957. Then, it fell into oblivion. To be revived in a near future?

This Kabuki dance-drama shows three characters gathering and drinking sake together. As they become intoxicated, each one displays a different personality: one becomes cheerful and laughs (warai-jôgo) ^[1], another turns angry and argumentative (okori-jôgo) ^[2], and the third grows emotional and begins to cry (naki-jôgo) ^[3]. The performance focuses on these contrasting reactions to drunkenness, expressed through stylized dance and acting rather than a detailed storyline.

[1] A male shichô named Danzaburô in the 1838 dance.

[2] A male shichô named Jûnai in 1838.

[3] A female shichô named Izayoi in 1838.

The actors Ichikawa Kuzô II, Sawamura Tosshô I and Ichimura Uzaemon XII playing the roles of the shichô Danzaburô, the shichô Izayoi and the shichô Jûnai in the dance-drama "Wakaki no Hana Sugata no Saishiki", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1838 at the Ichimuraza (print made by Utagawa Kunisada I)

Prints & Illustrations