Benkei and the Boat

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Benkei and the Boat

November 1885, Tokyo

A dance piece based on the same-named Noh drama. The costumes reflect the style of Noh. Danjuro IX played both Shizuka and the ghost in the premiere and chose the play as one of his family’s New Eighteen Select Plays. Some of the melodies resemble a work of 1870 by Kineya Katsusaburo II, but additional music was composed for the premiere and has been used since. Tamasaburo VI has re-choreographed the show in some performances using the tunes of Katsusaburo.
A beautiful temple dancer subtly expresses her sadness that she must separate from her lover, while Tomomori’s resentful ghost appears to vent his anger at the enemy. It is challenging for a single actor to portray both a woman and man with completely opposite emotions toward Yoshitsune. This is the play’s highlight. The tension is maintained until the very end, when the ghost of Tomomori is defeated and violently takes his leave via the hanamichi.

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［from left］Tomomori’s ghost（Ichikawa Somegoro）、Musashibo Benkei（Matsumoto Koshiro）　June 2007　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　June 2015