Tomu Uchida in 1964 made a film named Koi yakoi Yasuna koi. Aka The Mad Fox. It was a hidden gem❤. Okawa Hashizo was perfect in that film. So sad and haunting!🎉 Glad to see this story here.
It is one of the most beautiful and perhaps saddest dances in Kabuki. The story, movements and expressions during the dance are what make this dance unique and incredible. And that's why I have a doubt: one of the most famous actors to do this dance is Kataoka Nizaemon XV and I remember he chose Yasuna as part of his Shūmei in 1998. Do you know if there is any video about Kataoka Nizaemon XV's Shūmei?
@@KabukiInDepth thank you. The video is beautiful. Mom introduced me to Tamasaburo Bando here on youtube during a tremendous monsoon storm here in Tucson. It was a magical night!
I am hardly an expert, but the NHK program Kabuki Kool has done a few episodes on costumes so I will recount what I remember. Most costumes are silk, but I'm sure that the underlayers are cotton. These costumes can't just be tossed in the washing machine, but because the white makeup gets on the collars and sleeves, the people in charge of the costume use benzene to get the makeup out after the show. I think after a while the costumes must be dry cleaned, but not too often because the undelayers of the actors absorb most of the sweat and oils, keeping the hard-to clean outer robes from getting soiled.
It's interesting how different the stage was decorated for Tamasaburo san's version. Was this the set for a live perfomance or was it specifically made for being taped? In some ways it's very beautiful and it suits Tamasaburo's version well, but it feels slightly ostentatious compared to what Shikan used. I was moved by the way Shikan ended the dance, hiding under the robe in sorrow and shame, rather than posing more languidly. However I can't deny that Tamasaburo's skills as an Onnagata brought to life the phantom presence of Yasuna's lover. Even when he is not not wearing the Uchikake one can feel a feminine presence in the scene, and when most of his body was covered by the red Uchikakae at the end of the dance its almost as if the spirit of his lover is possessing him, and providing some comfort in his despair. A very sorrowful dance with a wide range of interpretations. I hope to see it someday.
Tamasaburō's performance was recorded on a film studio, for a collection of dances to be released on DVD. It has a cinematic style in the stage setting and camera work that is very unusual in kabuki. I'd personally prefer a straightforward live stage performance, but I have to say that this video has a unique charm. I had the pleasure of watching him perform Yasuna at the Kabuki-za in 2019, and he used a very austere stage setting, similar to Shikan VII. His dancing looked to me much less glamorous and romantic than in the 90s (when he recorded the version seen on this video), and his approach to Yasuna seemed to me much more bleak and tragic, almost with a depressive quality. I agree very much with your observations about Tamasaburō's Yasuna, and I think that Nizaemon's performance, coming from a male role specialist, offers a perfect contrast. I haven't had the chance to see many different actors dance this role, but it seems that performances from onnagata or tachiyaku actors fall into two completely different categories. Perhaps for that reason, actors capable of playing both are generally preferred for this type of dance.
Me too! Such an elegant Yasuna... I wish we had full stage performances of him and the other students of Kikugorō VI to compare, particularly Baikō VII.
Tomu Uchida in 1964 made a film named Koi yakoi Yasuna koi. Aka The Mad Fox. It was a hidden gem❤. Okawa Hashizo was perfect in that film. So sad and haunting!🎉 Glad to see this story here.
It is one of the most beautiful and perhaps saddest dances in Kabuki. The story, movements and expressions during the dance are what make this dance unique and incredible. And that's why I have a doubt: one of the most famous actors to do this dance is Kataoka Nizaemon XV and I remember he chose Yasuna as part of his Shūmei in 1998. Do you know if there is any video about Kataoka Nizaemon XV's Shūmei?
So far I haven't been able to find any, but I'll let you know if I can find any (I'd also make a video covering the shūmei, most likely)!
Beautiful!
I will watch in contemplation, my mother's husband is passing. thank you.
I sorry for your loss...
So sorry to hear that...
@@KabukiInDepth thank you. The video is beautiful. Mom introduced me to Tamasaburo Bando here on youtube during a tremendous monsoon storm here in Tucson. It was a magical night!
@@asanokip Very much appreciated!
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
How di they keep the costumes clean or do they use easy clean fabrics like polyester or cotton? Thank you very much!!
I am hardly an expert, but the NHK program Kabuki Kool has done a few episodes on costumes so I will recount what I remember. Most costumes are silk, but I'm sure that the underlayers are cotton. These costumes can't just be tossed in the washing machine, but because the white makeup gets on the collars and sleeves, the people in charge of the costume use benzene to get the makeup out after the show. I think after a while the costumes must be dry cleaned, but not too often because the undelayers of the actors absorb most of the sweat and oils, keeping the hard-to clean outer robes from getting soiled.
@@stanleygagner arigato gozimasu!! I'll have to get some!! Thank you so much!!
It's interesting how different the stage was decorated for Tamasaburo san's version. Was this the set for a live perfomance or was it specifically made for being taped? In some ways it's very beautiful and it suits Tamasaburo's version well, but it feels slightly ostentatious compared to what Shikan used. I was moved by the way Shikan ended the dance, hiding under the robe in sorrow and shame, rather than posing more languidly. However I can't deny that Tamasaburo's skills as an Onnagata brought to life the phantom presence of Yasuna's lover. Even when he is not not wearing the Uchikake one can feel a feminine presence in the scene, and when most of his body was covered by the red Uchikakae at the end of the dance its almost as if the spirit of his lover is possessing him, and providing some comfort in his despair.
A very sorrowful dance with a wide range of interpretations. I hope to see it someday.
Tamasaburō's performance was recorded on a film studio, for a collection of dances to be released on DVD. It has a cinematic style in the stage setting and camera work that is very unusual in kabuki. I'd personally prefer a straightforward live stage performance, but I have to say that this video has a unique charm. I had the pleasure of watching him perform Yasuna at the Kabuki-za in 2019, and he used a very austere stage setting, similar to Shikan VII. His dancing looked to me much less glamorous and romantic than in the 90s (when he recorded the version seen on this video), and his approach to Yasuna seemed to me much more bleak and tragic, almost with a depressive quality.
I agree very much with your observations about Tamasaburō's Yasuna, and I think that Nizaemon's performance, coming from a male role specialist, offers a perfect contrast. I haven't had the chance to see many different actors dance this role, but it seems that performances from onnagata or tachiyaku actors fall into two completely different categories. Perhaps for that reason, actors capable of playing both are generally preferred for this type of dance.
I love Yasuna played by Hashizo Okawa II
Me too! Such an elegant Yasuna... I wish we had full stage performances of him and the other students of Kikugorō VI to compare, particularly Baikō VII.
@@KabukiInDepth that would have been amazing!