The Festival Comes to an End
We ended the festival with our largest production to date: Elements of Shinmachi. This performance was a fascinating: it went through each of the five elements and how they related to Shinmachi.
Introduction: The intro set of Elements of Shinmachi introduced the audience to each of the godai elements.
This performance focused on music, dance and the interaction on stage among the courtesans and actors. Some introductory narration was used at the beginning of each section to provide some description for the scenes, but the stories in each set were shared via dance. It was a wonderful way to end the festival and I can’t wait until the next one (New Year’s!).
Grounded in Tradition: Two shirabyoshi make their way down a path, one their way to their next courtly performance.
The Water Trade: A buyer and trader haggle over the price of a young girl, brought to the quarter to become a courtesan. She escaped while they argued.
Burning: Jealousy erupts into a battle between two patrons, whom fought over the attentions of a geisha.
A Want of Wind: A shinzo bids her latest patron farewell, wishing she was able to leave the quarter as well.
A Void Oiran Dochu: The final elemental set featured a void rendition of an oiran dochu. The kamuro, then the shinzo and finally the oiran walked up and danced their part in the dochu.
Finale: We ended the performance with an “everyone on stage” finale dance. The two in pants did a martial arts demonstration mid dance!
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