Bettyoko’s Kimono Diary
Go to the Theatre in Kimonos Vol.27
“Yume Maboroshi-ka Koi Zoshi-Akame no Tensei (Reincarnation of the Red-Eye)” at ACT Theatre Akasaka Kabuki, “Reincarnation of the Red-Eye” is now playing at ACT Theatre in Akasaka Tokyo. I went to see it. Akasaka Kabuki was founded in 2008. This is 5th edition of this event with the venture of the newly play written and directed by modern playwright, Ryuta Horai. The story is about a young couple, Taro (played by Nakamura Kankuro) and Uta (played by Nakamura Shchinosuke). Their marriage failed to due to Taro’s weak character, and he was killed by Uta’s brother. However, he was reborn and strived to make beloved Uta happy through repeated reincarnations in which his personality changes each time. Finally, it was revealed that there was dreadful disturber and it left the audience lingering wonder. All lines were modern spoken languages, but the musical instruments were the traditional Japanese string, shamisen and the nagauta, but the main part was played with piano. Using piano in Kabuki was innovative approach, and the sound of piano was in harmony with this new play in which the audience felt the universal that the human has weakness and ego in all ages. I found the piano designed hanhaba-obi (half width belt of kimono) at Ichinokura Kimono Salon in Aoyama. For the Kabuki performance at the modern theatre, can I suggest you being a fashionable audience with the modern design linked to the essence of the play? Another one has the unique design which remind me of the stage set. It is kirigami (paper cut out)-like design. They are reversible, and you can enjoy double number of the shapes of knot. This popular book,” Otonano hanhaba-obi musubi style book” (how to make a woman-like knot of hanhaba-obi) written by Katsumi Yumioka introduces you a variety of the shapes of knots of hanhaba-obi (half width belt of kimono). You should choose the long one with over four meters to enjoy many styles of the knots. Kimono Salon magazine will have the lesson class to learn how to use a hanhaba-obi in Ichigaya on May 21, and at Ichinokura Kimono Salon in Aoyama on June 17 and 18. Bring this book, and you will have the first lesson for free. For more information call at 03-6450-5701 Nakamura Kankuro and Shichinosuke are trying to find new way of Kabuki by learning from the tradition and taking on new challenges. It is nice to support such challenging Kabuki actors with new playfully styled Kimono.
The unit of Betty and YokoBetty; jewelry journalist, enjoys watching stages of Kabuki, Bunraku, Balllet, and so on. Yoko; lived in the U.S.A for 10 years. Loves to introduce Japanese culture to abroad.
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