Bando Tamasaburo joins Kumi Odori performance

Today, I am so happy to read news regarding an Okinawan Kumi Odori (Udui) performance, in which Kabuki Onna gata performer Bando Tamasaburo will act as the main character of a new program called "Chifijin Tanjo" jointly produced by the Okinawan National Theater and Tokyo National Theater. The program will be performed in both theaters next March. The dance is arranged by Master Noho Miyagi: the National Treasure

This news is an indication of innovation, at least to me. The top Kabuki Onnagata Tamasaburo will perform Kumi Udui for the first time ever, while other genre actors like traditional Noh and Kabuki performers have never tried to utilize other genres before in traditional dance scenes.

I am particularly fond of Tamasaburo, since he has not only achieved the highest level of Onnagata of Kabuki, but also has mastered other dance genres, including Chinese classical dance called 'Kongeki," which has been performed by Chinese actors in China.

Kumi Udui was created during the 18th century by Chokun Tamagusuku (1684-1734). He was the first Odori Bugyo (appointed as a court dancer by the Ryukyu Kingdom) and performed  Kumi Udui first in 1719.

Kumi Udui is a type of performance that combines classical Ryukyu dances, singing (dialogues mostly consisting of 30 syllables in four lines of eight, eight, eight and six), with live music.

Chokun has created seven kumi udui numbers during his time:
Shushin Kaneiri, Nido Tikiuchi, Mekarushi-, Onna Munugurui, Koko No Maki, Timiji Nu En, and Hana Uri Nu En. In recent years, there have been many new Kumi Udui numbers written and performed at both Okinawa and Tokyo's national theaters.

歌舞伎俳優で人間国宝の坂東玉三郎さんがとうとう沖縄歌舞劇「組踊（くみおどり）」作品に出演し主役を演じるとのこと。とにかく凄いことです。

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The following is the article of the Okinawa Times

坂東玉郎さん　新作組主

文化	2012年10月13日 10時42分
(14時間56分前に更新)

　人間国宝の歌舞伎俳優、坂東玉三郎さんが、新作組踊「聞得大君誕生（ちふぃじんたんじょう）」（大城立裕作）に主演する。国立劇場おきなわと東京の国立劇場の共同制作で、来年３月、両劇場で上演される。立方指導・振り付けは宮城能鳳さん、地謡指導は西江喜春さんの両人間国宝が担当する。関係者によると歌舞伎俳優が組踊に出演するのは初めて。２２日に東京で制作発表がある。

　玉三郎さんは歌舞伎の女形として人気を誇るほか、中国の「昆劇」と合同公演を行うなど、ジャンルを超えた演劇活動で評価が高い。人気俳優の出演で組踊の全国的な知名度アップに期待が集まる。「聞得大君誕生」で玉三郎さんは、悲しい恋を経て琉球王国の最高神女・聞得大君となる王女を演じる。

　脇を固めるのは中堅・若手の組踊実演家。立方は玉城盛義さん、川満香多さん、佐辺良和さん、阿嘉修さん、宇座仁一さん、嘉数道彦さん、宮城茂雄さんら。地謡は、歌三線の花城英樹さん、玉城和樹さん、神谷大輔さんらが務める。公演は東京が来年３月８～１０日、沖縄が１５～１７日。

　沖縄伝統の組踊は、中国皇帝の使者である冊封使を歓待するため、玉城朝薫の作品が１７１９年に初めて上演された。能や歌舞伎など大和芸能の影響を受けながらも、独自の楽劇として再創造された