Product Description
With English commentary and subtitles, Region Code All, NTSC. Sakanaya Sogoro filmed in 1968 and Ibaraki filmed in 1982. Onoe Shoroku II (1913-89) was one of the greatest kabuki actors of his time, playing some of the main roles during the first kabuki tour of the USA in 1960. He was a disciple of Onoe Kikugoro VI. One of his best known roles was that of the fishmonger Sogoro in Sakanya Sogoro. The play was first performed in 1883 and takes place in Shiba, downtown Tokyo. In Sogoro's house, his father and wife are grieving over the death of Sogoro's younger sister, Otsuta. She had been a concubine of Lord Isobe, who killed her for having betrayed him by sleeping with another man. This would have been out of character for Otsuta. An apprentice delivering sake explains how Otsuta had been innocent of any wrongdoing and had been killed unjustly by Isobe under the influence of alcohol. Sogoto had vowed to give up drink himself but filled with rage, he drinks again, building himself into a rage, and heads for Isobe's house in search of an explanation. He kicks up a fuss but is eventually subdued by Isobe's chief retainer Urato. Eventually Isobe apologizes for killing her, confessing he was drunk and offers him condolence money. Ibaraki is one of the great dance dramas first performed in 1883. The story is based on Ibaraki Doji, a demon who lived at Rashomon gate in Toji temple in Kyoto. There are some memorable dance scenes, in particular where Mashima dances to celebrate the exploits of her brave nephew Tsuna. She later reveals herself to be a demon. This play is derived from the nagauta piece, Tsuna Yakata.
