Series
18 kabuki plays
Series Number
12
Title in English
The sickle and the beard Kamahige
Title in Japanese
鎌髭 Kamahige
Title in French
La faucille et la barbe Kamahige
The play
The very first version of “Kamahige” was staged for the first time 1719. Another version was staged in 1769, starring Ichikawa Danjûrô IV in the role of Taira no Kagekiyo (the one being shaved). Then, the official version was finally staged in 1774 with Ichikawa Ebizô III in the role of Tagekiyo . “Kamahige” was revived at the end of 19th century and the current version was staged in October 1910 to celebrate the shûmei (name-taking ceremony) of Ichikawa Danshirô II and his son Ichikawa Ennosuke II. It is now a play which is only staged for special occasions like shûmei or commemorative programs.
The story
Here Kagekiyo has disguised himself as a Buddhist pilgrim. His enemy Miho no Ya Shiro, also in disguise as the blacksmith Shirobei, offers to shave Kagekiyo’s beard with a sickle. He attempts to cut his throat, but the sickle is unable to make a mark on Kagekiyo’s impenetrable skin.
Additional information
| Publish Date | 1931 |
|---|---|
| First Edition Size | Unknown |
| Format | Shikishiban |
| Publisher | Gekishokankokai 劇画刊行会 |
| Carver | Ôkura Hanbei III (1890-1970) |
| Printer | Shinmi Yohei (1885-1935) |
