Changes

*''Genre: [[Jidaimono]]''

*''Genre: [[Jidaimono]]''

*''Premiere: 1697; [[Nakamura-za]], [[Edo]]''

*''Premiere: 1697; [[Nakamura-za]], [[Edo]]''

*''Japanese'': しばらく ''(Shibaraku)''

*''Japanese'': 暫 ''(Shibaraku)''

 

<i>Shibaraku</i> is among the most popular pieces in the [[kabuki]] repertoire, and one of the celebrated ''[[Kabuki Juhachiban|Kabuki Jûhachiban]]'' (Eighteen Great Plays). The flamboyantly dramatic costume and makeup (''[[kesho|keshô]]'') used in this scene is famous and widely associated by the average Westerner with kabuki in general. The English translation of the title is akin to "Stop a Moment!"

<i>Shibaraku</i> is among the most popular pieces in the [[kabuki]] repertoire, and one of the celebrated ''[[Kabuki Juhachiban|Kabuki Jûhachiban]]'' (Eighteen Great Plays). The flamboyantly dramatic costume and makeup (''[[kesho|keshô]]'') used in this scene is famous and widely associated by the average Westerner with kabuki in general. The English translation of the title is akin to "Stop a Moment!"

The work is derived from an actual occurrence involving Danjûrô I. On this particular occasion, when his fellow actors refused to give him his cue to make his entrance, Danjûrô dramatically shouted "Shibaraku!", and stepped onto the ''hanamichi'', making his entrance<ref>''Shinbashi Enbujo: Hatsuharu Hanagata Kabuki: Narukami Fudô Kitayama-zakura.'' (Theatre Program) 2008: Shôchiku K.K., Tokyo. p57.</ref>.

The work is derived from an actual occurrence involving Danjûrô I. On this particular occasion, when his fellow actors refused to give him his cue to make his entrance, Danjûrô dramatically shouted "Shibaraku!", and stepped onto the ''hanamichi'', making his entrance<ref>''Shinbashi Enbujo: Hatsuharu Hanagata Kabuki: Narukami Fudô Kitayama-zakura.'' (Theatre Program) 2008: Shôchiku K.K., Tokyo. p57.</ref>.

In 1746 or so, a parody called ''Onna Shibaraku'' emerged, which follows the same plot, but with a female role in place of the hero. This piece, too, became standardized, and now follows the form established by [[Nakamura Shikan V]] in 1901. The idea of parody is central to the origins, and the nature, of kabuki. This arrangement also allows ''[[onnagata]]'', actors devoted to playing female roles, to take part in this most popular of dramatic archetypal stories.

In 1746 or so, a parody called ''Onna Shibaraku'' ("Woman Shibaraku") emerged, which follows roughly the same plot, but reorganized to accommodate [[Tomoe Gozen]] as the lead female role in place of the male Kamakura Kagemasa (Tomoe lived roughly 100 years after Kagemasa). This piece, too, became standardized, and now follows the form established by [[Nakamura Shikan V]] in 1901. The idea of parody is central to the origins, and the nature, of kabuki. This arrangement also allows ''[[onnagata]]'', actors devoted to playing female roles, to take part in this most popular of dramatic archetypal stories.

==References==

==References==