Kabuki Plus
Ise priest
An onshi is a lower-ranking priest serving at noted shrines such as Ise, Mt Fuji and Kumano. They travel nationwide trying to attract people to their shrines, arranging everything from prayers to accommodations; they are something like a tour conductor. They were regarded as below the samurai but above commoner status. They are usually called oshi, but in Ise they are known as onshi.
Ainoyama
On a peak (Ainoyama = peak between) along the path between the outer and inner gates of Ise Shrine, there used to be geisha who would sing and dance for money. Their song, “Ainoyama Tune”, became known among pilgrims to Ise. It became incorporated into local songs and Kabuki set in the area.
Ise Ondo
notable!Ise Ondo is a folk tune created in Ise. Ondo is rhythmic dance music. It is also known as Matsuzaki Ondo and Kawasaki Ondo. Popular with Ise pilgrims, it became known nationwide and gave way to many local variations. In the drama, one lyric sings, “Ise is supported by Tsu, and Tsu is supported by Ise.” The music is also present in the dance that the geisha perform at the Aburaya Pleasure House.
Shirogasuri (white summer kimono with cross pattern)
Mitsugi’s white kimono with cross pattern and translucent black haori overcoat is cool is a well-known combination that might well be called Mitsugi-san style. The pattern may look like cotton or linen, but in fact it is dyed onto crepe and conveys a light texture. The pattern can use a single, double or jeweled cross depending on the actor’s preference. Some actors choose instead to wear a light-yellow kimono with black haori to suit the character of the son of a priest.
Pintokona
notable!Handsome, sharp and strong wagoto gentleman role. Another wagoto role called “tsukkorobashi” is a spoiled and hopeless gentleman, but the “pintokona” has the inner strength to resist temptation. In this play, Manjiro is a “tsukkorobashi”, while Mitsugi is a “pintokona”.
Daidaiko
Local associations encouraged by Ise Shrine to collect money for pilgrims to visit the shrine on the association’s behalf.
Aoe Shimosaka sword
A legendary sword being sought by Manjiro’s father Kurozaemon (or Kuroemon) and Fujinami Sazen on orders of the regional lord. In the rarely performed “Daidaiko” scene, Mitsugi’s grandfather purchased the sword and named it Aoe Shimosaka. It turns out to be an instrument that brings misfortune to the family. The sword is said to be a masterwork of the famed Aoe school in Bichu (current-day Okayama).
Certificate of authenticity
A certificate of authenticity called an orikami is used to confirm the identity of famous calligraphic works, swords and other treasured items. The value of the treasure is confirmed only when accompanied by such a certificate. It is a prop often used in household succession dramas revolving around stolen treasures.
Awkward happy endings
notable!Present productions of the show end with the chef wiping the blood off the sword and Mitsugi posing with his hand on his lover Okon’s shoulder. However, various endings have been used in the past: Mitsugi kills Okon and realizes her pure intentions only later; Mitsugi commits suicide after murdering so many people; Mitsugi attempts to commit suicide but is saved at the last moment; and more. Certainly it is illogical to have such a happy ending after the series of murders and tragedies. Still, it is one of the curious aspects of Kabuki that the storylines are not also driven by logic and do not always have clear-cut endings. Audiences and actors alike put the blame on the cursed sword and enjoy the stylized beauty of the murders by the handsome lead.
Friendship between Oshika and Okon
There are numerous rhythmical and memorable passages in the show. One is in the scene where the homely Oshika, regretting that she is ignored by Mitsugi, laments in a famous passage that while she is not as beautiful as Okon, she is equally good natured. In another case, Oshika calmly calls, “Manya, Manya”, summoning the madam of the house in a friendly way, while Mitsugi is impatiently calling more roughly from next door, “Call Man! Call Man!” and the chef, having found the sword, is saying “yoshi, yoshi” (Good, good). These are lines well-known to theater connoisseurs.
Enkiri and aiso-zukashi
notable!Declarations from a woman ending a relationship with a man are called enkiri (cutting relations) and aiso-zukashi (bored of relations). Enkiri are usually carried out intentionally by the woman to help the lover carry out some important duty. The man typically is not aware of her intentions and becomes furious at her betrayal, and later takes his revenge on her. Jealously and anger from the humiliation leads the man to desperate actions, typical of the sensuality and dynamism of Kabuki. Such Kabuki dramas are called engiri plays. The lover’s revenge scenes in most such plays shows women killed by madmen. In this piece, Okon does not get killed, and the story ends happily.
