I recently took up a more substanstial interest into Kabuki. I am actually interested in all the major Japanese play types, Noh, Bunraku, & Kyogen. But Kabuki strikes me as particularly intruiging. The hanamichi, mie, kata dances, and kumadori make up…so cool.
Specifically, I’ve been interested in a particular Kabuki play. The play is titled “Sukeroku, Flower of Edo”.
“Sukeroku, Flower of Edo” is about a handsome man (Soga no Goro, a popular character in disguise) and his quest to find the man who murdered his father. He is particularly looking to recognize the man’s sword. Sukeroku is quite popular with many courtesans, particularly the woman, Agemaki. Later, an older man named Ikyu tries to solicit Agemaki’s services. The story goes on and when Sukeroku forces Ikyu to draw his sword, he recognizes Ikyu’s sword as the one that his father fell to. Supposedly, this is where the story usually abruptly ends.
This summary is merely how I understand it too be after reading much about it. Now, the next thing to do is actually see it. Yeah, that’d be great for sure. When I go to Japan, I’d love to watch a Kabuki play, specifically “Sukeroku”.
By Anders Bogsnes on March 9, 2006 at 7:59 am
They had a great Noh theater play here in Copenhagen last year, celebrating the 200th anniversary of HC Andersen, featuring a Japonized version of his stories. That was really interesting, and hopefully I’ll get to see some Kabuki and Bunraku too when I head over to Japan.
By Shay on March 9, 2006 at 11:25 am
WOW Anders, Copenhagen sounds like a great place! Noh plays? Ozu film festivals? When can I go there? :P
By Randall Fitzgerald on March 9, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I think I might just be completely childish for this, and I know it, but I can’t watch a Noh play without snickering at least a few times, even when it isn’t meant to be funny. I consider kabuki a successful graduation of the artform.
Central Illinois doesn’t have the biggest culture center though… Although, we do have “Japan House” which is a Japanes style house and garden (small garden) where they host tea ceremony and other such things, but then they started allowing chairs at the tea ceremony because people didn’t want to sit in seiza. Americans can ruin just about anything.
By Anders Bogsnes on March 10, 2006 at 9:23 am
Hehe, end of the month, another film festival is coming up, this time featuring movies like Otaku in Love, Takeshis, Innocence and Hana & Alice. Really looking forward to it!
By Nita jhurani on August 31, 2007 at 10:34 pm
hi … I am actually studying theatre as a subject in grade 12 … one of my major assignments this year is to do a detailed research on kabuki theatre make – up … with reference to Sukeroku … if you have any information on this will you please forward it to me … i will really appreciate it … thank you …
my e – mail address is sanaa_jhurani@hotmail.com
By Elliot on December 24, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Just stumbled on this post. If you’re still interested in the play and haven’t yet seen or read it, there is an excellent translation by James R. Brandon in his collection “Kabuki: Five Classic Plays” You can find copies on Amazon.
By Zak Fisher on September 27, 2010 at 11:36 pm
small gardens are very cute and does not cost much to setup;..
By Female Reproductive System : on October 25, 2010 at 4:20 am
small gardens are nice because you can just fit it in any part of your home, small gardens have that “cute” factor too,-*
By Amber Castle on January 3, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Hey!
I am also doing an assignment on Sukeroku, Flower of Edo and was wondering if there is any other information on it besides the Five Classic Plays book? Maybe specific theatre companies or actors that I may be able to contact?
Thankyou!
By Mark on January 20, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Not sure where everyone is based, but we just started a Kabuki Club for those interested in Japanese performing arts including Kabuki. We’re based in the San Francisco area, but our online community and Message Board is worldwide, please join! Check us out at http://www.jetaanc.org/kabuki
Check out our “Resources” page in particular for links, books, videos, etc. related to Kabuki and Japanese performing arts.
We are actually screening Sukeroku to the public in Oakland, CA this Sunday (1/23/2011) at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, everyone’s welcome. Meantime, Sukeroku is available on DVD from Marty Gross, just Google it. A lot of libraries also have Kabuki DVDs.
By Chuck on February 11, 2012 at 2:02 pm
There have yet plans now for the updated Snoopy version of the Kabuki classic with Snoopy, Lucy and Linus Van Pelt in mind if it was beautifully well made!