kagura spectacular folk theater for the masses
A giant, multicolored, eight-headed serpent writhes back and forth across the stage, attacking and entwining a sword-wielding hero. Engulfed in smoke, sparks spitting from its multiple jaws, the beast bites, spins and leaps, occasionally snapping at young children brave enough to come to the front of the stage. The hero, of course, eventually triumphs, severing each of the heads in turn, to the delight of the audience.
This is the thrilling conclusion to Yamata-noorochi, a crowd-pleasing tale from Japanese mythology, often performed as the finale at kagura festivals and competitions. Kagura is diverse art form with a variety of performance styles. That performed in northern Hiroshima and Iwami in Shimane is characterized energetic dances performed in elaborate (and heavy) costumes, accompanied by stirring
rhythms. While you may not understand the dialogue, the exciting fight scenes, lots of dry ice, fireworks and lightning- fast costume changes keep the uninitiated entertained. In Hiroshima city, kagura is most often seen at autumn shrine festivals. Every Wednesday, however, troupes come in from the countryside to do two performances Kenmin Bunka Center near the A-bomb Dome. Admission is only ¥1000, and non-Japanese readers are provided with basic English outlines of the pieces to be performed. There’s also an opportunity to check out the masks and costumes up close, and get some great souvenir snaps after the second show has finished. Those who would like to delve deeper into the world of kagura should make a trip out to Monzenmura Kagura Village in Midorii in Akitakata. Here, around 20 troupes take turns in performing in the “Kagura Dome” and the facility also has restaurants, shops, a hot spring and accommodation.
Hiroshima Kagura in the City Center
7/1 prog. 1: Yamabushi / prog. 2: Jinrin 7/8 prog. 1: Amano-iwato / prog. 2: Kurozuka 7/15 prog. 1: Sesho-ishi / prog. 2: Katsuragi-san
Two Performances Every Wednesday until December 23 at
～Hiroshima Prefectural Citizen’s Culture Center～ (Rijo Kaikan Kenmin Bunka Center) p.29 [B-1/2]
Photo session with players and costumes on stage after the show from 20:40
Admission: ¥1,000 (All seating is unassigned) Tickets sold on day of performance: from 17:00 Doors open: 18:00 First performance: 19:00 Intermission: 19:40-20:00 Second performance: 20:00
7/22 prog. 1: Jinrin / prog. 2: Modori-bashi 7/29 prog. 1: Oye-yama / prog. 2: Yamata-no-orochi 8/5 prog. 1: Momiji-gari / prog. 2: Yamata-no-orochi 8/12 prog. 1: Tsuchi-gumo / prog. 2: Takiyahsa-hime 8/19 prog. 1: Inamura-ga-saki / prog. 2: Takiyasha-hime 8/26 prog. 1: Masakado-no-ran / prog. 2: Myoujin-san 9/2 prog. 1: Momiji-gari / prog. 2: Kumaso 9/9 prog. 1: Modori-bashi / prog. 2: Takiyasha-hime 9/16 prog. 1: Katsuragi-san / prog. 2: Yamata-no-orochi
/17
9/23 prog. 1: Katsuragi-san / prog. 2: Akko-den
GetHiroshima / Summer 2015
9/30 prog. 1: Akko-den / prog. 2: Takiyasha-hime