[Report] KAGOTSURUBE
I have written a full report for "Kagotsurube," which is the play Shota starred in. I was able to get tickets through the Fan Club, general sales and mixi so I went to 12 shows in total: 6 in Tokyo and 6 (all) in Osaka. The following report is all based on my memory from what I've seen. This is not a translation of the script nor a translation of a recording of the play or anything because I never do that (it's not allowed anyways, haha.) Therefore, I'm sure I have forgotten many things so I apologize for that in advance... however, this was really a GREAT play so I hope you all get the feeling of what it was like. Shota did an amazing job as the "zacho" (leader) of this team and I am very, very proud of him :-)
The whole play was about 2 and a half hours long, including a 20-minute break in between Act 1 and Act 2. Since the whole report turned out to be 41 pages on Word (YIKES!!), I will divide this report into a few parts.
Before I go into the actual story, here is the general information of the play:
Tokyo (March 16th-31st, 2009) and Osaka (April 16th-19th, 2009)
Tokyo - Aoyama Theatre (March 21st 13:00 & 18:00, March 22nd 13:00, March 28th 13:00 & 18:00, March 29th 13:00)
Osaka - NHK Hall Osaka (April 16th 19:00, April 17th 14:00 & 19:00, April 18th 13:00 & 18:00, April 19th 13:00)
For J-web article translation: http://paaaaan.livejournal.com/94271.html#cutid1
For Pia article translation: http://paaaaan.livejournal.com/94144.html#cutid1
CHARACTERS (in the order of appearance in the pamphlet)
Jirozaemon -
The main character, played by Yasuda Shota. He is a rich owner of a silk factory in countryside Sano. He has a big, ugly bruise on the right side of his face. He is a hard-working man, who is respected by his co-workers and friends that know him.
Yatsuhashi -
The #1 oiran in “Hyogo-ya” of Yoshiwara, played by Fujisawa Ema. She is the oiran that Jirozaemon falls in love with at first sight.
Jiroku -
Jirozaemon’s friend and also his servant, played by Kazama Shunsuke. He supports Jirozaemon throughout his life.
Bunzaemon -
The danna of Kinokuniya, played by Okada Koki. He is a regular customer at Hyogo-ya and is the one that introduced Jirozaemon to Yoshiwara.
Suama -
A new oiran in Yoshiwara, played by Maikaze Rira. She is not contaminated by all the lies that are told in Yoshiwara.
Kujuu -
The husband of the couple that owns “Hyogo-ya,” played by Matsuzawa Kazuyuki.
Oichi -
Jiroku’s fiancé, played by Komatsu Ayaka. Together with Jiroku, she helps run Jirozaemon’s silk factory in Sano.
Momoyama -
The former #1 oiran in “Hyogo-ya” who went down to #2 after Yatsuhashi went up, played by Oka Chie.
Otatsu -
The wife of the couple that owns “Hyogo-ya,” played by Washio Machiko. She is the leader of all the oirans and she manipulates them to get as much money as possible from the rich men that visit Yoshiwara.
Einojyo -
A former artist who is the “mabu,” or secret lover, of Yatsuhashi, played by Nishioka Tokuma. He is about Yatsuhashi’s father’s age.
Note: Shota’s character is called “waka danna,” “danna sama,” “nushi san,” etc. in the play. The name of the character is “Jirozaemon” but no one calls him that. “Danna” is “sir” or “master” and “waka danna” is “young master.” He is the young master of Sano: “Sano no waka danna.” Also, there are quite a few songs sung in this play. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the entire lyrics so I’ll only write what I thought I heard. (There is a big chance that it is not correct, haha, please forgive me!)
And on to the story...
Click HERE for Act 1 (part 1)
Click HERE for Act 1 (part 2)
Click HERE for Act 1 (part 3)
Click HERE for Act 1 (part 4)
Click HERE for Act 1 (part 5)
Click HERE for Act 2 (part 1)
Click HERE for Act 2 (part 2)
Click HERE for Act 2 (part 3)