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

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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?” !