Shintomi-za Children’s Kabuki

In the Edo Period, there were a number of small theaters showing plays (kabuki) in and around Ginza, and kabuki was cherished as the culture of ordinary people’s lives. This culture has been inherited by the Kabuki-za Theater and the Shimbashi Enbujo Theater where it can be enjoyed by many people. Shintomi-za Kodomo (children’s) Kabuki will be performed at Taimei elementary school this year again, with the hope that this culture will thrive even more in Ginza and that it can be enjoyed by anyone. The programs will be “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura” (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) and “Shiranami Gonin Otoko” (Five Thieves). Enjoy the charming performance of young actors.

[Time and date] Saturday, November 3 (public holiday), starts at 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 1:00 p.m.). Length: About 70 min.
[Venue] Chuo City Taimei Elementary School (special stage set up at the school yard *In the gymnasium if it rains)
(5-1-13 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo)
[Admission] Free. [Performers] Shintomi-za Children’s Kabuki
[Program]
-Prologue
-Dance: Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura Yoshino-yama Michiyuki no Ba
-Play: Shiranami Gonin Otoko Inasegawa Seizoroi no Ba
Important: Please inform us if you are coming in a wheelchair so that we can better accommodate you. Please note that the number of seats will be limited. Only standing room may be available. Your understanding is appreciated.

Dance: Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura Yoshino-yama Michiyuki no Ba

One act of a play called “Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura” (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) in the form of a dance. Yoshitsune, who has fallen out with his brother, Yoritomo, leaves the imperial capital leaving behind his beloved mistress, Shizuka Gozen, saying she is in danger if she stays with him. He leaves Shizuka a drum, called the “Hatsune drum,” saying to take care of it as if it were him, and entrusts his retainer, Tadanobu, as her bodyguard. Shizuka cannot bear to be apart from Yoshitsune, and follows him, together with Tadanobu, deep into Mount Yoshino. The mountain is in full bloom as the two approach. During the trip, it is revealed that Tadanobu is actually a fox spirit that took over Tadanobu’s body in yearning for its parents, whose skins were used in the Hatsune drum Shizuka carries. Enjoy the magnificent dance as it enfolds in front of “Hitome Senbon” (a place where many cherry blossom trees can be viewed at a glance), a scene of gorgeous cherry blossom trees that have been loved by people since long ago.

Play: Shiranami Gonin Otoko Inasegawa Seizoroi no Ba

After the theft at the Hamamatsu-ya shop, the band of thieves led by Nippon Daemon came under investigation of the police. The five thieves flee their pursuers and go to the banks of Inasegawa River where cherry blossoms are in full bloom, with the thought of temporarily escaping to Kamakura. The five dapper men in short-sleeved kimonos carrying coarse oilpaper umbrellas make their final move as they realize they can flee no further, and steel themselves against their fate of falling under the net. As they are surrounded by their pursuers that were lying in ambush, they gracefully hurl defiance with the words “let me be judged” and each reveals their identity before facing their potential captors. This popular scene is one of the most renowned of Kabuki scenes, acted by the Kabuki anti-heroes created by Mokuami Kawatake.