{"id":79633,"date":"2021-03-05T17:28:14","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T08:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=79633"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:17:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:17:53","slug":"kabuki-medley-spotlights-timeless-sounds-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kabuki-medley-spotlights-timeless-sounds-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Kabuki Medley Spotlights the Timeless Sounds of Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

No doubt, the most striking piece of artwork inside the National Theatre of Japan<\/strong> in Tokyo is the Kagamijishi<\/strong> (\u93e1\u7345\u5b50), a life-size statue of the lion spirit that dances vigorously among the spring blossoms. Even frozen in a dramatic pose, its long white mane seems to whip through the air and spill over its shimmering golden robe. The statue was modeled after stage performances in 1936 by the kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro VI, which the artist Hirakushi Denchu watched a total of 25 times, each time from a different angle, before finally completing the present statue more than 20 years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Kagamijishi statue embodies the spirit of kabuki in the lobby of the National Theatre of Japan in Tokyo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Such is the power of kabuki<\/a><\/strong> (\u6b4c\u821e\u4f0e), this Edo-period form of lavishly costumed, highly stylized lively performance <\/strong>that has captivated fans for centuries. In 1966, the Kagamijishi arrived at its new home in the lobby to inaugurate the official opening of the National Theatre of Japan in Tokyo. Still today, this iconic art piece symbolizes the undying energy of traditional Japanese performing arts<\/strong>, which are continuously staged, lovingly nurtured, and dutifully archived year-round by the Japan Arts Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many kabuki fans come to see a performance at the National Theatre wearing kimono.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Classic Medley of \u201cOnnagata\u201d Kabuki Dances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the last Sunday afternoon of February, the National Theatre rustled with excitement before a special performance titled \u201cMoon, Snow and Flowers \u2013 Performing Arts Celebrating the Natural Beauty of Japan<\/strong>\u201d (\u6708\u30fb\u96ea\u30fb\u82b1\uff0d\u56db\u5b63\u6298\u3005\u306e\u3053\u3053\u308d\uff0d). Intended for all audiences, this foreigner-friendly medley of famous kabuki dances and traditional Japanese instruments<\/strong> was part of the ongoing Japan Cultural Expo<\/a> program that had originally been planned to coincide with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kabuki
Kabuki \u201cMusume D\u014dj\u014dji,\u201d starring Onoe Kikunosuke, a National Theatre production \uff5c Photo courtesy of Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

No time was wasted with wordy introductions\u2014as soon as the curtain was raised, the stage was set. Each season of the musical trilogy began with a spectacular dance solo from the kabuki repertoire performed by the famous actor Onoe Kikunosuke, who specializes in onnagata<\/em> <\/strong>(\u5973\u65b9) female roles<\/strong>: the lunar maiden wearing a celestial feathered robe in the Noh-inspired \u201cHagoromo\u201d (\u7fbd\u8863); the lovelorn snow-white egret who emerges from an instant hikinuki<\/em> (\u5f15\u304d\u629c\u304d) thread-pulling costume change in \u201cSagi Musume\u201d (\u9dfa\u5a18); the temple dancer longing to be free from earthly suffering amidst a flurry of cherry blossoms in the great classic \u201cMusume Dojoji\u201d (\u5a18\u9053\u6210\u5bfa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n