Kabuki Plus
Taro Kaja
Kaja initially referred to young men who enter adulthood and start to wear symbolic headgear. Toward the end of the 12th century, it was used only for youngsters in warrior families, but by the 14th century, it came to apply to young servants in general. Taro is a name for the first son of a family, so it refers here to the most senior servant in a household. Taro Kaja is a character featured in many Kyogen comedies.
Adaptations from Kyogen to Kabuki
This play is a Kyogen-inspired piece with lyrics adapted from the Kyogen play Hanago by Okamura Shiko. The Ichimura Theater had several young promising stars at the time and was enjoying a Golden Age. Kikugoro VI won great acclaim for his portrayal as the tipsy Ukyo, including Ukyo’s depiction of his meeting with the courtesan Hanago, to a mixed tokiwazu and nagauta score. The success of this play spurred a series of Kyogen-inspired pieces that remain popular today.
Challenge for performers
notable!This is one of a series of Kyogen plays revolving around married couples and a man visiting his father-in-law for the first time. For the audience, plays on this theme are a delight, but they are in fact known as among the most difficult roles for Kyogen actors, who are only allowed to perform them in the final stages of their training. It is interesting to compare the Kyogen Hanago with the Kabuki adaptation.
