Summer_Kabuki

Benten Kozo was first acted by Onoe Kikugoro V. It became the main play acted by the Onoe line, and the current actor who played for this production was Onoe Kikunosuke.

尾上菊之助
Onoe Kikunosuke is the son of the current Onoe Kikugoro VII. He was raised as an onnagata and acts both male and especially female roles very well. I thought his acting of Benten was quite cool, if not abit more roughness could be added. He has also acted as Soga Juro in the Soga Tales. Click here to view more of his pictures...

Real name: Terajima Kazuyasu
Yago 屋号(house name): Otowa Ya 音羽屋
Crest 紋: Four ringed Double fan with a Kashiwa leaf in the middle.
D.O.B: 1/8/1977 (24 years old this year)
School: Aoyama Gakuin
Interests: Music, reading, Movies, Marine sports. Lately, computers (he likes to read fan's homepages...:))
Favourite spots: Shibuya, Roppongi, Azabu, Akasaka etc.

尾上菊五郎
Onoe Kikugoro VII is a famous actor. Used to be an even more famous playboy, but decided to be serious about his acting and has since became very famous. He has acted in many TV shows, Theatre productions and Kabuki plays. He was acting as Ukyo in Migawarizazen. Click here to view his picture.

Real name: Terajima Hideyuki (Kikunosuke's father)
Yago: Otowa Ya
Crest: Double fan and Kashiwa leaf.

There are of course many famous actors in Kabuki, but I will introduce them later.

The plays I watched were presented at Nerima Theatre, North Tokyo. Apparently it is very near where Mansai's grandparents stay..hm...after all, I also caught Mansai acting there as wel... :)

Nerima is a modern theatre fit for any production. A real kabuki experience should be at the Minami-za, Kabuki-za etc. but sadly, I will have to do that another time. :)

Overall, my first experience of Kabuki was interesting. The audience age group consisted of mainly elderly people in Kimono, mostly ladies (not surprising) and interestingly, lots of young ladies. However, most were very quiet. Usually, a kabuki performance is filled with people shouting Kakegoe, but the location, the politeness of the crowd (the young ladies, with the exception of an elderly lady screaming out "Otowa Ya!!!!!") were a great deterrent to the lack of atmosphere. Despite that, the costumes were beautiful, and the dazzling display of colour, music and vibrant actor kept me glued to my seat. The strong sonorous voices of the singers coupled with the beautiful shamisen playing oozed poetry and gentle beauty throughout.

This summer, I will be watching some more in London. Stay tuned!