Figures of Showa stage #4 -Nakamura Utaemon VI as Shirabyoshi Hanako in “Musume Dojoji”

Series
Figures of Showa Stage

Series Number
4

Title in English
Figures of Showa stage #4 -Nakamura Utaemon VI as Shirabyoshi Hanako in “Musume Dojoji”

Title in Japanese
道明寺 – 六世中村歌右衛門丈  昭和舞台姿　その四
Showa Butai Sugata 4 Dojoji – Nakamura Utaemon VI

Title in French
Portraits de la scène de Showa No.4 -Nakamura Utaemon VI dans le rôle de Shirabyoshi Hanako dans “Musume Dojoji”

The play
Musume Dojo-ji (The girl at Dojo-ji Temple) is the oldest dance drama based on a Nò play that was created in 1723 in Edo. The current play is a kabuki adaptation dated 1753 which was very popular. It is the story of a “Shirabyoshi”, traditional entertainers which appeared in the 12th century and became popular at the Japanese imperial court. They danced exclusively for the nobility and high-ranking samourai. Shirabyoshi were always dressed as men and dedicated their dance to the gods. The name “shirabyoshi” means “white beat or simple rythm” referring to the slow and rythmic pace of their dance and their white make-up. They always wore Shinto-inspired masculine attire, which featured a hat, a samourai’s sword, a red trouser (hakama), male priest white or red blouses (suikan) and a man fan.

The dances in this play are based on a technique called “Hikinuki” with quick changes of costume. The kimono is cut at the waist and stage assistants come to pull the threads and remove completely the outer costume to reveal the inner one. In this play, there are 9 changes of kimono, belts and accessories.

The story