歌舞伎 - The Art of Kabuki

The art of Kabuki has been on the decline for several years. However, there are a few groups of foreign people who are learning this great art, and doing their best to continue it in their own countries. Of course, the language is not Japanese, but the clothing and movements are the same.

ここ数年、歌舞伎の人気に陰りが見られます。しかし、この偉大な芸術を学ぶ外国人のグループがいくつか存在し、自分たちの国で続けていこうと努力しています。もちろん、言葉は日本語ではありませんが、衣装や動きは同じです。

Their spirit is full of energy and life. I like to watch these young people doing their best to keep a fine art form alive, because Kabuki is exciting! Kabuki was begun in the Izumo area, around the year 1600, by a woman named Okuni, who was an attendant at the Izumo Taisha Shrine. This shrine is one of the greatest, and most famous, in Japan. Izumo Okuni, as she was called, formed an entertainment group which became popular for the singing, music, dancing, and short plays that they performed.

彼らの姿勢は、熱意と活気に満ちています。私は、若者たちが優れた芸術の灯を絶やすまいと懸命に努力している姿を見るのが好きです。歌舞伎はとてもおもしろいものなのです。歌舞伎は1600年頃、出雲大社の巫女だった阿国という女性によって始められました。出雲大社は、日本で最も大きく最も名の通った神社の一つです。「出雲阿国」と呼ばれた彼女は、一座を旗上げし、歌、音楽、踊り、寸劇を演じて人気を得ます。

She wanted to collect money to rebuild the Izumo Taisha Shrine. The group soon moved to Kyoto, where it became more famous, and was eagerly accepted by the people, who loved the charm and brightness of her group. Today, it is generally accepted that Kabuki began in 1603, when Okuni moved to Kyoto. It soon became known as Okuni Kabuki. The first perfomeances were based on popular ideas and customs, with a strong emphasis on sensuality.

阿国は出雲大社を建て直すための資金を集めたいと思っていました。一座は間もなく京都に移り、そこでさらに名をはせ、彼らの魅力と明るさは人々から熱狂的に迎えられました。現在では、歌舞伎が生まれたのは、阿国たちが京都に移った1603年というのが通説となっています。それは、間もなく阿国歌舞伎として知られるようになります。初期の舞台は、当時の一般的な考え方や風習を基に、官能に強く訴えるものでした。

However, as is the case with everything that becomes popular, other groups of entertainers began to copy her work. They gave a bad reputation to Kabuki, because of improper conduct. Okuni, herself, was said to have danced very skillfully, taking the part of young man. Her work was imaginative and daring. She was indeed a great person.

しかし、有名になる者には付き物ですが、ほかの芸人たちが阿国を模倣するようになります。そして、彼らの不道徳な振る舞いは、歌舞伎の名を汚すこととなりました。 阿国自身は、若い男の役をたいへんうまく演じ、踊ったといわれています。彼女の舞台は、想像力に富み斬新なものでした。阿国は実に偉大な人物だったのです。