Kabuki Theatre 47 Samurai Seppuku Scene 1

Lord Enya Hangan is ordered to commit seppuku by the Shogun. As his retainers watch in silence Lord Hangan fulfills his duty. Arriving just in time is Hangan's chief retainer Oboshi Yuranosuke.
Hangan: Tony L Soper
Yuranosuke: Don Kozono

1979 UH production of Chushingura - The 47 Samurai

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Kabuki Theatre
• UH Kabuki
• University of Hawaii

[14WhiteDemon]

When they're not taling in japanese,it's not the same...

[narukami7]

@14WhiteDemon

Thanks for your comment.

Indeed there is a distinct difference between kabuki performed in Japanese and any other language. We worked very had to retain the intonations while not losing the meaning of the words. To that end we learned the play first in Japanese and then in English. I think the majority of the cast did a good job, but it is not perfect and it never will be.

On the other hand, when doing Richard III in kabuki style, vocalizations worked very well indeed.

[skubber23]

Don't get it wrong I don't have anything against Kabuki in english (don't understand japanese anyway, so I think it's a great idea)

I was just surprised and I think you did a great job making english sound japanese and kabuki-like. Haven't seen a full Kabuki play yet but I watch many japanese jidaigeki (period drama) films and in the ones which are more classic in style you can find many kabuki elements.

[narukami7]

@skubber23 Understood and Thank You for the generous comments. You probably noticed that a couple of commentators were unhappy that we used women and non-Asians in the cast.

We do hope to put the entire production on line but not certain when that will happen.

Marty Gross Films out of Canada does sell kabuki plays on DVD - not cheap but some excellent plays are available.

Indeed, jidaigeki & kabuki often use the same source material and stylistic elements - good point

Thanks again

[skubber23]

Why's this in english?

[narukami7]

@skubber23 Why not?

Actually, this 1979 performance (by students at the University of Hawai'i) was intended for an English speaking audience.

We did learn the play first in Japanese, to better capture the vocal style of kabuki, and then re-learned the play in English. Movement, though difficult can be captured exactly, but the vocal style of kabuki is much more difficult particularly in any language other than Japanese.

We always wanted to do one performance in Japanese - I wish we had.

[StaringKiba]

is there a dvd or any recording of the FULL play in english. if so were can i find/ buy it

[narukami7]

@Yojimbo13david You're most welcome. It is one of my favorites too.

[Yojimbo13david]

Thanks for the upload. My favorite Story, The 47 Ronin!

[narukami7]

@kenitai007 Thank you for your generous comment.

We hope to eventually make the entire play available for on-line viewing, however we are still working on copyright permissions, etc. so this may take some time.

Once again, thanks!