Product Description
English subtitles and commentary. Region Code All, NTSC. Performed in 1988. Koshiro Matsumoto (born 1942) is one the leading kabuki actors, from three generations of actors belonging to the Koraiya guild. Onoe Kikugoro VII is a versatile kaneru yakusha actor, while Nakamura Shikan VII (born 1928) is a legendary onnagata (women's role) actor. Kiwametsuki Banzui Chobei (also known as Yudono no Chobei) premiered in 1881 and is an unsual play. The story deals with the final days of a chivalrous commoner Banzui Chobei, and is a product of the new Meiji era of enlightenment, criticizing the corrupt samurai class. It is a play within a play, with the kabukiza auditorium part of the actual play and the audience also the fictional audience. The gallant hero Chobei faces his death at the hands of the arrogant samurai with great honour, humility and bravery as he bids farewell to his wife and son.
