Ya no Ne

（ ）

Ya no Ne

January 1729, Edo (as a scene in Suehiro Eho Soga)

One of the Eighteen Select Plays. The show has remained a key part of the repertory since the first performance by Danjuro II and is representative of the expansive aragoto style. A similar storyline was featured in Yuzuriha Kongen Soga, which debuted in Edo in January 1720, but this show’s premiere is considered to be the 1729 version, which provided the current template. Soga Goro was a well-known character in the Edo Era usually portrayed as superhuman, almost god-like. Aragoto is a style that expresses superhuman force. The established form and style of the acting, known as kata, make the audience aware that it is not watching an ordinary individual. There are a number of auspicious icons in the show, such as Mt Fuji, the treasure ship of the seven gods, and a giant arrow for purging evil. The show takes place in a lively and celebratory atmosphere. The stylized beauty particular to Kabuki, the simple straightforward story and short performance time make this one of the most popular aragoto pieces.

●main graphic Soga Goro Tokimune（Bando Mitsugoro）　January 2012　Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre

●publication date　October 2015