Abstract:

Taking place in the Gojozaka pleasure quarters, this play is a tragic tale centering on Gorozo and his wife Satsuki, who is a courtezan, along with Hoshikage Doemon, and another courtesan, Oshu. In the final moving scene, Gorozo and Satsuki commit harikiri. This performance features three renowned kabuki actors: Onoe Kikugoro VII, known for his flexible style for playing all roles, both male and female parts, Bando Mitsugoro X, the third generation of his family to belong to the Yamatoya guild, and Nakamura Shikan VII, one of the greatest onnagata (female role) actors. || Originally recorded in Tokyo's famed Kabuki-za Theater in 2002 and broadcast by NHK, the Japanese Broadcast Company. An optional English translation and commentary by Kabuki scholars Paul M. Griffith, Ronald Cavaye and Valerie Durham follows the stories and provides additional information to help international audiences appreciation of Kabuki performance, history, music and dance.