Japanese Theater : 2015.05

5/06/2015

TAIKO (Drum) Show & “Three brothers in Ageo” by Ōmi Hiryū Gekidan @ Kyōbashi-raibu za, April 24

<Play: Three brothers in Ageo >

This play is also one of the typical Taishu-engeki plays, which depicts the struggle between giri (duty) and ninjo (human emotions).

A bad oyabun (the leader of yakuza family), being attracted by his henchman’s wife, tried to rape her. At the very moment her husband comes back and prevents oyabun from the rape. Oyabun is mad at the interference, and takes out a knife. In the scuffle, the husband stabs the oyabun to death.

Since the murder of oyabun is absolutely forbidden in the Yakuza world in any circumstances, he tries to kill himself. His wife begs him not to and asks him to elope from the region. When they set to leave home, the henchman’s “elder brother” [as the yakuza clan was supposed to be a “family,” the members call each other “brother”] drops in. Seeing what happened, the elder guy tries to kill his brother. However, his wife stops him and explains what really happened. The elder guy understands the situation and urges the couple to escape from the other henchmen’s chase. He even suggests to accompany them in order to lead the way in the mountain. On their way back to the couples’ home district, they have to fight against the rest of the yakuza family members and the younger guy gets injured.

Deep in the mountain, the couple and the elder brother come across an old house. They ask the owner of the house to let them stay somewhere. First, the owner (an old man) refuses, but eventually allows them to stay in a barn next to the house. When they settle there, the chasing team led by a robust guy, actually their closest “brother” in the family, catches them. It turns out that the guy is the old owner’s prodigal son. The old owner tries to protect those in the barn, his son finds out them. In spite of the father's plead, the son is determined to execute them as the murderer of their oyabun. The couple and the brother make up their mind and present themselves to the son (he is the oldest among the “brothers”). At the very last moment, the son changes his mind and does not kill the three.

Though the story being wrapped with the cover of a typical yakuza tragedy, zachō Hiryū de-constructs the sentimental content and reconstructs it as a psychological drama. The brothers struggle with the sense of duty to the oyabun (the father) and the family law, even if it is totally irrational. The focus is on how each one solves the struggle and why he gives up the revenge (duty). It seems that the audience share Hiryū’s understanding of the tragedy and get a relief in the end.

Hiryū
Can you can see the cute dimple?

Hiryū

Kotoramaru

Harunosuke

Hiryū: sword play

Hiryū

Daisuke

Jun'ichi

Amane

Hiryū

"Home-coming Yakuza" in Omi Hiryu Gekidan @ Kyobashi-raibu za, April 21

<Play>

The theme of the play, Home-coming Yakuza [Yukyo nagare gasa], is one of the typical Yakza play themes, so-called “yukyo-mono (yukyo stuff; “yukyo” means traveling yakuza): a succession trouble in a yakuza family and an inevitable revenge as a result. It is very important and often causes troubles who will be named as the next leader (oyabun). Usually the successor is chosen by the current oyabun. The family members should obey his decision because he is “the father” of the family, whom they are not expected to object to.

Here in this yakuza family, the oyabun chooses a young man as the next oyabun because he successfully murdered the oyabun of the rival family. However, his elder colleagues, especially the man who thinks himself as the successor is very angry. After the young guy leaves for a trip in order to avoid the arrest, the elder man starts his revenge. Taking an advantage of the young guy’s absence, he steals his wife, and then manages to win his colleagues over to his side. He virtually takes over the family and persecutes the former oyabun who is now suffering from paralysis.

Some years has passed and the younger guy comes back to find what happened to his family. He kills his wife and her lover (maotoko seibai which means the conviction of adultery), and saves the former oyabun.

At a glance, this kind of story may be regarded as a tragedy even if it ends with a catalysis. When played by the troupes originated in the Kyushu region, which generally favor the sentimental (cheap soap-opera type) plays, the play presented itself as a tearing tragedy. I don’t think this will be welcomed by the modern theater goers, especially the younger audience.

Omi Hiryu, zacho (the troupe leader) never allows these sentimental compositions of the plays as they are. In most cases, he gives them a twist and transforms them into more “modernized” plays. The sentimental covers are taken away and the drama focuses on the psychological struggle and confrontation between the antagonists. When the atmosphere becomes too emotional, he definitely inserts a comic relief.

In this play, though he bad guy's harassment scene over the former paralyzed oyabun is supposed to be tragic, Hiryu turns it to be a comical interlude. Unfortunately, since Hiryu has been suffering from cerebral hemorrhage since last October, the former oyabun part is now played by Kotoramaru, aged 28, one of the most talented performers either in the plays and dance shows (even in the Taishu Engeki world). The former oyabun should look intimidated and humble when bulled by the current oyabun, but he does not. He evades the bullies by all means: by teasing back the oyabun, or even jumping from the stage, running down the aisles, and hiding behind the audience. This "battle" is so funny and the whole audience laugh and help him to hide from the bad guy. Logically, it is impossible for a paralyzed man! This is a great service to the audience.

The dance show is consisted of two parts: first, an usual dance show, second, a “drag-queen show” entitled “Is it OK to be a drag-queen?” !