by “META Kabuki Genji Memories”, delivered live on January 25, 2022, is a hot topic. This work combines the latest technology of creating the stage of the masterpiece of classical literature “Genji Monogatari” in a virtual space and synthesizes it with Kabuki actors’ movement in real-time and classical performing arts. It was Mr. Ichitaro Nakamura who acted as the overall director. He played five roles, such as Lady Rokujo and Aoi no Ue, who surround Hikaru Genji, and played the suffering and joy in a virtual space.
A unique dialogue between Mr. Ichitaro and Mr. Waki Yamato is also talking about the new version of “The Tale of Genji”, a cartoon version of “The Tale of Genji”. Two people who sublimated classical literature as an entertainment work talk about the charm of “Genji Monogatari”. Continuing from the first part, I will talk about the characters concretely.
Waki Yamato
He was born in Hokkaido and debuted in 1966. His masterpieces include “Haikara-san Pass”, “Asaki Yumemishi”, “Yokohama Monogatari”, “N.Y. Komachi”, “Nishimukushi”, “Red Smell”, and “Ishtar no Musume ~ Ono Otsuden ~”. Received the 1st Kodansha Manga Award in 1977 for “Haikara-san ga Gou”, which was also animated, filmed, and staged. 2021 celebrated the 55th anniversary of the painting industry.
Nakamura Ichitaro (Kazutaro Nakamura)
Born in Tokyo in 1990. Graduated from Keio University Faculty of Policy Management. In January 1995, the first stage was named after the first Ichitaro Nakamura at the first child of “Yama-Uba” in Naka no Shibai, Osaka. Since then, while devoting himself to the stage of Kabuki, he appeared in the contemporary drama “Sandaime, Richardo” by Hideki Noda in 2016 and the same year’s animated film “Your Name. He is expanding the field of his activity, such as creating a dedication dance of the shrine maiden in the play. In July 2020, he performed “ART Kabuki”, a distribution performance consisting of a collaboration between Kabuki and art with a new sensation, and received high praise from home and abroad.
“Gap Moe” evening face, “Tsundere” Aoi no Use
Who did you sympathize with in “Genji Monogatari”? It was
Nakamura Kazutaro (in the future referred to as Ichitaro): Is it on Aoi? In “META Kabuki Genji Memories”, I drew Mr and Mrs Hikaru Genji’s passing before the birth of a child (Yugiri). After that, on Aoi no Ue, while passing each other, she keeps her child, and the relationship with Mr Hikaru Genji grows deeper. When I imagined playing that part of Aoi no Use in the future, I felt that my heart was shaken. This may be because I’m a man, so I sympathize with Aoi no Ue’s feeling that pregnancy is “scary.” I can’t imagine it.
Waki Yamato (after this referred to as Yamato): When you become pregnant, your baby will grow up on your own body, and your body will change, such as getting hungry or suffering. It’s also scary.
The spirit of Lady Rokujo is attached to such Aoi.
Yamato: The effect that the curse with letters stopped the breath of the evening face was beautiful.
Ichitaro: Thank you. The characters of Lady Rokujo are also beautiful. I thought the expression of that curse was perfect for her character.
Yamato: She is proud of being the princess of the former Harumiya, her pride as an older woman, and should not even be known to be jealous. It is often transmitted that her suppressed emotions have become alive. “Genji Monogatari” depicts the multifaceted nature of human beings. For example, even if it’s a Madonna-like Fujitsubo, no matter how much others praise it, I don’t think so. I’m sure there are still people like that.
Therefore, I think that a pretty woman like Yugao and accepting anything is irresistible for men. Evening face is a vine plant with pretty white flowers, and you can’t stand on your own unless you cling to something. The character and circumstances of Yugao are often seen.
Ichitaro: That’s right. It is also evident that Genji’s rival, Tono Chujo, was horrified at first. Although he lives in a house that looks poor, he is surprisingly weak in waka poetry.
Yamato: On the evening face of “Gap Moe”, the ultimate Aoi of “Tsundere”. The characteristics of the characters were well conveyed from “META Kabuki Genji Memories”.
Waki Yamato x Ichitaro Nakamura Aoi no Ue, Yugao, Lady Rokujo. Decoding the “The Tale of Genji” character
