Shosagoto

Onnagata actor Akifusa Guraku performing Sagi Musume (The Heron Maiden)

Shosagoto (所作事) or furigoto (振事), also known as dance or dance-drama, is a type of kabuki play based on dance.[1] It is one of the three genres of kabuki, together with jidaimono (historical plays) and sewamono (contemporary plays).

A central element of kabuki since its origin in 1603, shosagoto plays became an important part of the kabuki repertoire towards the end of the 17th century, and still forms a key part of the kabuki repertoire today. For example, the January 2018 program at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo included three shosagoto performances.[2]

There are several types of kabuki dances. An important difference is between the mainly non-narrative dances with nagauta accompaniment (such as Fuji Musume), and the more dramatic ones, with complex storylines and characters (such as Kanjinchō).[3] The nagauta musicians are often seated in rows on stepped platforms behind the dancers.[4] There are many other distinctions and styles. For example, matsubame mono dances include particularly theatricalized sets and costumes, often including quick on-stage changes of clothes (called hikinuki).[5][3] Hengemono dances involve a single actor playing different roles.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference kabuki21A was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "January at the Kabukiza Theatre". Kabuki Official Website. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LeiterA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Leiter, Samuel L. (16 January 2006). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre. Scarecrow Press. p. 115. ISBN 9780810865143.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference kabuki21B was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference kabuki21C was invoked but never defined (see the help page).