矢の根（Ya no Ne） | 歌舞伎演目案内

Soga Goro, ready at any moment to avenge his father’s death, keeps his arrow and wits sharpened even in the midst of New Year’s celebrations. An auspicious drama highlighting the stylized beauty and wit of aragoto.

Soga Goro endures a poverty-stricken life as he works single-mindedly to avenge his father’s death. When his brother Juro appears in a dream crying for help, Goro leaps to action. Goro is dynamic, young and witty and possesses superhuman power. The role exemplifies the stylized beauty of the aragoto style. The show is a major work from the Danjuro family’s Eighteen Select Plays.

Synopsis

by Terada Shima

Goro at New Year’s

Furui, a village in Sagami Province and Soga Goro’s hometown. A screen is rolled up to reveal Goro sitting on top of a heated table and sharpening a huge arrow, aimed at avenging his father’s murder. He vows to achieve his goal regardless of how strong his enemy Suketsune proves to be. He curses the seven gods of fortune for his life of poverty.

Soga Goro Tokimune（Nakamura Hashinosuke）　October 2011　Minamiza Theatre

New Year’s greeting

Ozatsuma Shuzen Dayu, a singer, comes to offer a New Year’s greeting. He thanks the actor playing Goro, whose stardom has enabled him to thrive as well. The musician presents a picture of a treasure ship for good luck and exits.

【Left】Ozatsuma Shuzen Dayu（Nakamura Karoku）　January 2012　Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre 【Right】［from left］Ozatsuma Shuzen Dayu（Nakamura Karoku）、Soga Goro Tokimune（Bando Mitsugoro）　January 2012　Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre

Juro appears in Goro’s dream

Goro sets the picture aside. Using a grindstone as a pillow, he falls asleep, muttering that he hopes to dream of achieving the revenge. Instead, his elder brother Juro appears in the dream and begs to be rescued from Suketsune, who has captured him.

Soga Juro Sukenari（Sawamura Tanosuke）　January 2012　Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre

Goro jumps on a horse

Goro leaps up from the dream and snatches a horse from a nearby radish seller. Using a large radish as a whip, he rushes to save his brother.

【Left】［from left］Soga Goro Tokimune（Bando Mitsugoro）、Hataemon（Bando Shucho）　January 2012　Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre 【Right】Soga Goro Tokimune（Nakamura Hashinosuke）　October 2011　Minamiza Theatre

Ya no Ne （ ）