Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (Magosaburou YOUKI, XIII)
Photo: Toshiharu Ishibashi
Toukaidouchu Hizakurige (Left: Magosaburou YOUKI, XIII, Right: Senyuu RYOUKAWA, III, Syamisen and Narration: Tagatayu SHINNAI)
Photo: Toshiharu Ishibashi
Photo: Toshiharu Ishibashi
Youkiza, based in Koganei City, will hold a studio (small venue) performance with the aim of revitalizing the local area through Edo marionette theater. The performance program will comprise three classical pieces which have been passed down within the troupe. “Tokaidochu Hizakurige (Shank’s Mare)” has been particularly popular for its interplay between live shinnai singing and shamisen accompaniment and marionettes, and stage production featuring video/images projected onto the stage background.
To increase understanding and interest among audience members not conversant with the classics, a commentary on the puppets and the works will be provided during the intermission, followed by a post-performance talk.
Program
“Kotobuki Jishi (Lion Dance),” “Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (A Maiden’s Flaming Love),” “Tokaidochu Hizakurige (Shank’s Mare)”
Performers
Magosaburou YOUKI, XIII, Senyuu RYOUKAWA, III, Ikuko YOUKI, Aki YUMOTO, Yasuaki ONUKI, Emi OURA, Tagatayu SHINNAI (singing and shamisen accompaniment)
Staff/composition: Senyuu RYOUKAWA, III
Lighting: Keiichi OYA
Sound: Takeshi SHIMA
Video/images: Masahiro HAMAJIMA
Stage direction: Junichi TAKAHASHI
Edo Marionette Theatre YOUKIZA
Founded by Magosaburo Youki I in 1635 in the Edo town of Fukiya-cho, this troupe can claim many classic masterpieces often performed today. Renowned works include “Meiboku Sendai Hagi (The Precious Incense and Autumn Flowers of Sendai),””Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi(The Yaguchi Ferry),”by Gennai Hiraga,“Date Musume Koi no Higanoko (A Maiden’s Flaming Love)”and “Shinpan Utazaimon: Nozaki Mura (Nozaki Village).”Since the Meiji period the company has actively taken on overseas theatrical works in translation as well as new contemporary plays. In particular, recent years have seen the troupe making assertive forays into overseas performance and international collaborative productions.
Designated a Tokyo Municipal Intangible Cultural Property in 1956.
Selected as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan in 1996.
Youkiza Studio, Koganei City, Tokyo
