Nakanoshima Bunraku 2024

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

ABOUT PERFORMANCE

Ningyo Joruri Bunraku × Rokyoku × Modern art projection mapping

Showcasing the Beauty of Japan's Four Seasons through Traditional Performing Arts

〈Part 1〉（With simple Japanese/English subtitles）

〈Summer〉New Rokyoku “Natsu-matsuri Naniwa Kagami”

〈Autumn〉Bunraku “Sekidera Komachi” From Hanakurabe Shiki no Kotobuki

〈Part 2〉（With simple Japanese/English subtitles）

〈Winter〉Bunraku “Hinomiyagura no Dan”From Date Musume Koi no Higanoko

〈Spring〉Bunraku “Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi”From Yoshitsune Senbonzakura

◎Bunraku performers will present the highlights in front of the curtain. Wait until the day to find out who are performing.

◎Photo session after the show

【Main performers】
Tayu (Narrator): Toyotake Toudayu, Takemoto Oritayu
Shamisen: Tsuruzawa Enza
Puppeteer: Yoshida Tamao, Yoshida Ichisuke, Yoshida Tamaka　

Hayashi (music): Mochizuki Tamezo Shachu

Rokyoku: Mayama Hayato
Sawamura Sakura (shamisen player)

Art: Tanihara Natsuko

Japanese subtitles: Higashino Hiroaki (TV writer)

【Main performers】

	Tayu (Narrator): Toyotake Toudayu
	Tayu (Narrator): Takemoto Oritayu
	Shamisen: Tsuruzawa Enza
	Puppeteer: Yoshida Tamao
	Puppeteer: Yoshida Ichisuke
	Puppeteer: Yoshida Tamaka

	Rokyoku: Mayama Hayato
	Rokyoku:Sawamura Sakura (shamisen player)

	Art: Tanihara Natsuko

SYNOPSIS

〈Summer〉 New Work “Natsu-matsuri Naniwa Kagami
(The Summer Festival, A mirror of Osaka)” (rokyoku)

	This piece set in the city of Osaka bustling with the summer festival depicts the story of a man called Danshichi Kurobe, who had a great sense of duty. Danshichi and his friend Tsurifune no Sabu give shelter to Tamashima Isonojo, a son of a samurai to whom he is indebted, and Isonojo’s lover Kotoura. One day, notorious Mikawaya Giheiji, who is Danshichi’s father-in-law, comes and takes Kotoura away. Danshichi follows and catches up with them. While they are arguing with each other, Danshichi accidentally hits Giheiji with his sword and Giheiji makes a fuss about it. Danshichi tries to shut him up, but he keeps insulting Danshichi. Even though the father-in-law is a bad person, Danshichi still sees him as a parent and is torn between his obligation to his benefactor and a sense of guilty. His patience wears thin and he finally kills Giheiji. Danshichi disappears into the darkness of mid-summer, amidst the sounds of festive music and bustle of people carrying portable shrines, as if he is hiding from his own sin.

This piece set in the city of Osaka bustling with the summer festival depicts the story of a man called Danshichi Kurobe, who had a great sense of duty. Danshichi and his friend Tsurifune no Sabu give shelter to Tamashima Isonojo, a son of a samurai to whom he is indebted, and Isonojo’s lover Kotoura. One day, notorious Mikawaya Giheiji, who is Danshichi’s father-in-law, comes and takes Kotoura away. Danshichi follows and catches up with them. While they are arguing with each other, Danshichi accidentally hits Giheiji with his sword and Giheiji makes a fuss about it. Danshichi tries to shut him up, but he keeps insulting Danshichi. Even though the father-in-law is a bad person, Danshichi still sees him as a parent and is torn between his obligation to his benefactor and a sense of guilty. His patience wears thin and he finally kills Giheiji. Danshichi disappears into the darkness of mid-summer, amidst the sounds of festive music and bustle of people carrying portable shrines, as if he is hiding from his own sin.

〈Autumn〉“Sekidera Komachi (Komachi at Sekidera Temple)”
From Hanakurabe Shiki no Kotobuki (The Celebration of the Four Seasons)

	A 100-year-old woman is standing alone in the wilderness in autumn where bell crickets are chirping and willows are swaying. She is hardly recognizable, but is Ono no Komachi, who used to be known for her great beauty. Hiding herself with a bamboo hat and leaning on a cane to walk, the elderly Komachi often recalls her glamorous days in the imperial court and her lover Fukakusa no Shosho, who visited her every night. Komachi feels the transience of life in late autumn, recalling memories of her youth and facing the reality of being old.

A 100-year-old woman is standing alone in the wilderness in autumn where bell crickets are chirping and willows are swaying. She is hardly recognizable, but is Ono no Komachi, who used to be known for her great beauty. Hiding herself with a bamboo hat and leaning on a cane to walk, the elderly Komachi often recalls her glamorous days in the imperial court and her lover Fukakusa no Shosho, who visited her every night. Komachi feels the transience of life in late autumn, recalling memories of her youth and facing the reality of being old.

〈Winter〉 “Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (The valiant maiden and the fire-red fabric of love)”
Hinomi Yagura no Dan (The Fire Watchtower)

	This piece depicts the story of Yaoya no Oshichi, who committed arson in the city of Edo because she desperately wanted to see her lover and burnt at the stake for it. In a freezing winter night, wooden doors of houses are firmly closed. Because fires often happened in the Edo era, there were fire watchtowers to warn the whole city about fires. Oshichi is in love with Kichisaburo who she met after a fire, but he is forced to commit hara-kiri, being stigmatized for losing his master’s sword. Oshichi finds out the whereabouts of the sword from a letter. In falling snow, she ponders how to tell her lover about it. Then she thinks that if she tells everyone that there is a fire, people will come out of the closed doors and she will be able to see Kichisaburo.

This piece depicts the story of Yaoya no Oshichi, who committed arson in the city of Edo because she desperately wanted to see her lover and burnt at the stake for it.
In a freezing winter night, wooden doors of houses are firmly closed. Because fires often happened in the Edo era, there were fire watchtowers to warn the whole city about fires. Oshichi is in love with Kichisaburo who she met after a fire, but he is forced to commit hara-kiri, being stigmatized for losing his master’s sword. Oshichi finds out the whereabouts of the sword from a letter. In falling snow, she ponders how to tell her lover about it. Then she thinks that if she tells everyone that there is a fire, people will come out of the closed doors and she will be able to see Kichisaburo.

〈Spring〉 “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees)”
Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi (Scene of travel of Hatsune)

	This is one of the most popular ningyo joruri bunraku pieces, set in Mt. Yoshino when spring is at its height and cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Yoshitsune’s lover Shizuka Gozen and his vassal Sato Tadanobu are travelling to the residence to which Yoshitsune has fled. Shizuka Gozen’s hand drum named Hatsune is covered in fox skin. In fact, the man in front of her was not the real Sato Tadanobu, but the spirit of the fox whose parents were used for the drum skin. The fox spirit hiding his true nature and Shizuka Gozen pining for Yoshitsune are traveling toward where Yoshitsune is staying, while dancing and singing to tell the story of the Genpei War.

This is one of the most popular ningyo joruri bunraku pieces, set in Mt. Yoshino when spring is at its height and cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Yoshitsune’s lover Shizuka Gozen and his vassal Sato Tadanobu are travelling to the residence to which Yoshitsune has fled.
Shizuka Gozen’s hand drum named Hatsune is covered in fox skin. In fact, the man in front of her was not the real Sato Tadanobu, but the spirit of the fox whose parents were used for the drum skin. The fox spirit hiding his true nature and Shizuka Gozen pining for Yoshitsune are traveling toward where Yoshitsune is staying, while dancing and singing to tell the story of the Genpei War.

DATE

2024
Oct. 25 (Fri.) Starts at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m.)
Oct. 26 (Sat.) Starts at 12:30 p.m. (doors open at 11:45 a.m.)

VENUE

The Main Hall, 1st Floor, Osaka City Central Public Hall

1-1-27, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0005
◎ Exit 1, Yodoyabashi Station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line/Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Line
◎ Exit 22/26, Kitahama Station, Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line/Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Line
◎ Exit 1, Naniwabashi Station, Keihan Electric Railway Nakanoshima Line

Prices (all reserved seating)

Adults: 2,500 yen (advance)/3,000 yen (on the day)
High schoolers and under: 500 yen (advance)/700 yen (on the day) (student ID required on the day)

Ticket release on Sept. 21 (Sat.)
Preschoolers not allowed

［Ticket agencies］

RAKUTEN Ticket

ORGANAIZER

Organizer: Osaka City/Executive Committee for Promotion of Bunraku Theatre（Osaka City, BUNRAKU KYOKAI）
Planning and Operation：Traditional Arts Creation Business Entitiy（Traditional Arts of Japan, Arts Integrate）
Stage production : Kansai Butai Co., Ltd.
Cooperation:　PIA Corporation