Program
The World of “Dojoji”, a Tragic Love Legend
Traditional Japanese Music and Dance Performance
- Living National Treasure collaborates with Young Successors -
Enjoy the profound enchantment of traditional art performed by living national treasure of Japan and promising young successors.
The Legend of “Dojoji” is a tragic love tale that has been depicted in many forms of Japanese traditional performing arts. As November 1st is known for the “Classics Day”, various masterpieces of traditional dance and music based on this legend will be featured on stage.
There will be Nagauta (The maiden at Dojo Themple) "Musume Dojoji" with traditional dance, Shinnai-bushi (Melody of Shinnai) "Hidakagawa" , and Ogie-bushi (Melody of Ogie) "Kane no misaki" with traditional dance.
The original Dojoji legend is about a young girl Kiyohime who fell in love with a handsome young Buddhist priest Anchin. Anchin rejects her because of his religious precepts. But Kiyohime's passion grows fierce and transforms her body into a big serpent. She chases Anchin across the river Hidakagawa. The Shinnai-bushi (Melody of Shinnai) "Hidakagawa" tells this episode. Anchin flees into the Dojoji temple and hides inside the big bell. Kiyohime, now the furious serpent, coils herself around the bell and blows fire from the mouth melting away the bell and burning Anchin to death.
"Musume Dojoji" that is performed in Kabuki is the most popular sequel to this legend. The story is about a dancer named Hanako who came to the Dojoji temple where a ceremony is held to celebrate the installation of a new bell.
She dances to celebrate the event, but as she approaches the bell, she becomes a serpent and pulls down the bell. The story ends when the Buddhist priests finally drive her out with the power of their prayer. "Kane no misaki" was composed after this kabuki dance. It has a calm atmosphere and shows the deep passion of Kiyohime who sings and dances for her lost lover Anchin.
Enjoy the profound enchantment of traditional art performed by living national treasure of Japan and promising young successors.
Senzo Nishikawa
Masataro Imafuji
Nakasaburo Shinnai
Image photo
(“Kane no misaki” by Botan Ichikawa)
| Schedule | Saturday 1 November, 2014 at 17:30 |
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| Venue | National Theatre (Small Theatre) 4-1, Hayabusa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo URL： http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/kokuritsu.html |
| Performers |
Buyo Nagauta (The maiden at Dojo Temple) Musume Dojoji : Masataro Imafuji (Living national treasure of Japan), Botan Ichikawa, Roei Tosha, and others Hogaku Shinnai bushi (Melody of Shinnai) Hidakagawa : Nakasaburo Shinnai (Living national treasure of Japan), Takeshi Shinnai, and others Buyo Ogie bushi (Melody of Ogie) Kane no misaki : Senzo Nishikawa (Living national treasure of Japan), and others |
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| Ticket Information |
[Ticket Prices] ¥4,500（Adults） ¥2,000（Students） [Ticket reservations] Please fill in the FAX SHEET and send it to Votre Ticket Center +81(3)5355-1276 |
※The program contents may change.
