Actor Kataoka Ainosuke reveals the wide variety of props used by tachiyaku, the male roles in kabuki. Explore the all-important katana sword, tobacco pipes, footwear and gold coins.
It's a traditional performing art with a rich history.
It draws a million theater-goers per year...
It's kabuki.
Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores it with us on "KABUKI KOOL."
Our topic this time is the props used by "tachiyaku," the male roles in kabuki.
These objects are vital in creating characters and have their own fascinating history.
Get ready to explore the secrets of katana swords, gold coins, and other key props.
Let's open the curtain!
Hi, I'm Sarah Àlainn.
When you watch Kabuki, you can get a real feel of the Edo Period.
A big part of that is played by the props involved.
Today, Kabuki Actor Kataoka Ainosuke will introduce us to those props, especially those used by the leading male roles.
Hello again!
Hello.
So, we have all these katana swords in the studio today.
Yes, we do.
And these are kabuki props?
Yes, they're vital to many "tachiyaku" roles - not just for samurai but for merchants as well.
And there are detailed rules about which role and play each katana is suited for.
And we have an expert joining us in the studio today.
Let's welcome him, shall we?
Yes.
This is Keijin Seki of Fujinami Props.
- Welcome.
- Welcome.
Thanks for inviting me.
Mr. Seki knows everything there is to know about kabuki props.
He knows what is needed for every play.
He prepares and manages the props for each performance.
We actors absolutely depend on him.
I see.
Could you tell us about these katana swords first?
The katana is a uniquely Japanese weapon and was also used to display rank.
It's the soul of the warrior.
By warrior you mean that it's a symbol of a samurai?
To a samurai, a sword was as important as his life.
I see.
Let's then take a look at a kabuki play where these katana swords are used.
Yes.
The highlight of "The Madness of the Footman Ranpei"
is the climactic fight scene where Ranpei fights off a huge group of fighters.
Naturally, a sword is an important prop in this scene.
Ironically, Ranpei is forced to fight his own son.
This sword is a special prop that helps to express Ranpei's emotions.
It's making a sound!
That's right. This sword has a special sword guard with two plates of metal so it rattles.
This accentuates the character's feelings.
Ranpei is about to attack his son, but he doesn't really want to kill him.
The sound is perfect to express this emotional conflict.
Mm. It's like the sword is acting as well.
Yes, it is!
♪ "He cannot stop his tears."
This is the entrance of the gallant hero Sukeroku.
Take a good look at his sword.
Sukeroku is such a show-off!
Yes. Can you see he has only one sword?
Uh-huh.
Samurai wore two swords, but commoners only could wear one.
So this is Sukeroku's katana that we just saw.
That's right.
Not every actor in the role will use the same katana.
The Matsushimaya crest is called "ni-biki."
In reference to that this katana has a circle with two lines.
We only give this one to Matsushimaya actors.
This is a tiny detail, but there can be a little bit of fun with these props.
Wow! So that means you know every actor's preference?
Yes.
These are for a samurai.
A "daito" and a "wakizashi."
They're carried differently depending on rank.
Shall I show you?
Okay!
The smaller one like this.
And the longer one.
This is the standard approach.
I see.
A "ronin" will only carry one katana.
Like this.
So, a bit more upright.
That's right.
It's important to really understand the role type because your rank will change how you use your props.
You don't want to get it wrong!
- I have a request.
- Yes?
Could you draw your katana?
- This?
- Yes!
Okay.
Wow.
That's it!
So cool!
You want to try it?
Really?
Sure.
Wow. Like this?
Yes.
I've always wanted to do this!
Oh, okay.
Yes.
First, push the scabbard forward, then push the sword out a little, then turn and draw.
To the side?
Yes, like this, then...
Okay... Once more!
Open...
Open and push.
Turn it.
And draw.
It's not that easy!
Yeah.
Well?
It was way harder than I thought!
- Was it?
- Absolutely!
Oh, I see.
But so much fun!
It is!
What about this set?
This set is red with metal fittings and a green handle and cords.
These colors are very strong, so this set is used by villains.
So the colors are just as important.
Yes.
You can tell the role at a glance.
They do look tough.
The katana that caught my attention the most was the one that rattled in the footage we saw earlier.
"Naritsuba?"
Is that the name?
Yes.
Here you are.
I've actually used this katana on stage several times.
It's used by Danshichi Kurobei in "Natsumatsuri Naniwa Kagami."
I see.
There are two guards.
Mm-hmm. On top of each other.
And they clink together.
Like this.
I can make them rattle.
What sort of scene would you use that in?
There is a scene where Danshichi gets into a fight with his evil father-in-law - his wife's father - and ends up killing him.
Danshichi is very upset and so when he tries to put the sword back in its sheath...
His hands are shaking.
Exactly. Like this.
It won't go in, so he clamps it still.
But we hear it shaking as it goes in.
Then he sheathes it.
I see!
"Naritsuba" is incredibly effective in this kind of story.
Mm. An audible symbol of his turmoil.
Exactly.
You want to hold it?
Oh, it's quite light!
The katana?
Yes. What's it made of?
These props are called "takemitsu."
They're made from a light oak.
Then they are it is covered with a thin sheet of metal.
It's very tricky work that can only be done by an artisan who knows a lot about real katana.
Now this one.
So Sarah.
Yes?
Try holding this one.
Okay.
Ready?
Oh! It's so heavy!
Yes. This is made like a genuine katana.
Now I'll draw it.
Okay.
Wow.
Well?
It's a prop so the edge is dull, but it's the same weight as a true katana.
A real metal blade like this is called "honmi."
But it looks sharp.
- This katana...
- Yes?
This katana is used in "Ishikiri Kajiwara."
Part of the plot involves an inspection of the blade to see if it's genuine.
Interesting!
The hero Kajiwara is evaluating a sword.
In the Edo Period, it was important for a samurai to know the quality and worth of a sword.
Kajiwara examines the sword.
He bites on some paper to make sure he doesn't breathe on the sword.
The actor gazes intently at the sword and has to give the impression of its quality through his acting,
so I imagine this is why a prop is used that is as heavy as a real sword.
♪ "The power of the sword makes him gaze reverently."
This is indeed a great sword!
To show what a truly great sword this is, Kajiwara uses it to slice through a stone washbasin.
He did it!
The setting is China and Watonai is the hero of "The Battles of Coxinga."
He is a larger-than-life "aragoto" hero and his power is expressed by the very exaggerated swords.
♪ "Watonai confronts them, ready to draw his sword at any time."
And here, we have Watonai's katana!
Yes.
But there are three of them?
Usually two katana form a set.
But an "aragoto" role such as Watonai occasionally carries three.
It's called "sanbon-dachi."
This is an older style of sword called a "tachi" and the largest one is 2 meters long.
It's longer than my height.
Just carrying it is a pain.
Normally you wear your own katana.
Sure.
But this can't be done alone so three to four people will work together to get it in place.
And I have another request.
Now that I'm completely hooked, I'd really like to try holding the large "tachi."
You do?! Okay. Let's try it!
Yay!
So usually, it will be at this angle in your belt.
Mm-hmm.
You turn it, like so.
Then strike a "mie" pose.
Here you go.
Okay.
Here.
Like this?
Like this.
Ohh, I don't think I'd win a fight with this!
But why is it so long?
Well, it's a symbol of the "aragoto" role's strength and power.
Many "aragoto" props are exaggerated versions of real objects.
They grew big together with the development of the acting.
Even Watonai's costume was extremely exaggerated.
It suits his character perfectly.
Exactly.
Let's look at some more props.
Sure.
A delicate girl came to blackmail a rich clothing store,
but now she reveals that she is actually a male thief.
As you guessed, I'm a man.
If you don't know who I am, I'll tell you!
He is holding a "kiseru" pipe.
The way the actor uses this prop expresses the character.
The movements are intimately related to the words of his speech.
Named after the goddess Benten, that's me...
...the famous thief, Benten, the Kid!
These are the things used for smoking tobacco on stage.
Wow! Such a variety!
Yes.
Was smoking common at the time?
Tobacco came to Japan in the late 1500s, and by the end of the 1600s, it was actually grown in Japan.
Men and women of all ages enjoyed smoking.
So there are a lot of scenes in kabuki plays which feature people smoking.
How you use a pipe can change the flow of a scene.
Just like the way he was rotating it.
Yes.
Or tap it rhythmically.
Or spin it.
I can't even do that with a pen!
And then...
Mm, such a nice tone!
The character's rank and profession will affect how you hold the pipe.
Wow. Then how would a samurai hold it?
Something like this.
And you smoke it with an arrogant air.
A merchant would be more like this.
Wow, it's completely different!
Mm-hmm, it really changes your impression of the role.
And these are our next props.
Yes. We refer to everything we wear on our feet as "hakimono."
In kabuki, they are classified as props, not costumes.
During the Edo period people mainly wore "zori," "waraji," and "geta."
People still wear "zori" with kimonos today.
Like this.
- You see?
- Mm-hmm.
I'm wearing "zori."
What are these?
Those are "waraji."
And these are "geta."
Oh, I've worn them with a cotton kimono.
That's right.
I'm really curious about these ones!
Oh, yes.
When do you wear these?
You want to know?
Of course!
The fabulous Yoshiwara pleasure quarters.
A man from the country arrives in Edo and encounters a courtesan's procession.
His straw sandals indicate his social class and that he has been traveling.
Now who is wearing those tall clogs?
Oh! That lady is!
That's right.
These clogs were used for the highest class of courtesan.
They are called "mitsuba geta" because they have three supports.
They are about 30 centimeters tall.
He enjoys the procession, but when he sees the most beautiful courtesan of them all, it's love at first sight.
I've seen movies with courtesans walking like this!
Oh, really!
I've always wanted to try it ever since!
I see.
This is called "soto hachi monji," meaning the Chinese character eight.
This style of walking accentuates the allure of the courtesan.
Wow!
As you see, Sara is now wearing the "geta!"
You ready?
Uh-huh.
Hold onto me. Go slow.
Okay.
Ohh...
This is surprisingly scary!
They're wide at the bottom.
Makes it harder.
Definitely!
You remember the way the courtesan walked?
Let me try it! I've been practicing this in my head for a while.
Rotate it around, drawing a circle.
How's that?
From the outside.
Like this?
Yes! That's it.
Yes, yes. You're good!
Tilt...
Yes.
- That's right!
- Then around...
I've always wanted to do this!
Really?
How was that?
Wow! You're excellent!
Thank you!
Really well done!
Thank you!
They say that real courtesans took three years to master this walk.
Mm, I barely managed three seconds!
Now let's look at some more props!
Yes, this is what's next.
Chubei, a money courier has come to discuss buying the contract of his courtesan lover Umegawa.
But Chubei's rival, the wealthy Hachiemon is there and tries to get Umegawa for himself.
My father gave me 250 gold coins as pocket money. Boy it's heavy!
This is the weight of real gold coins. Look! It makes the house shake!
Hachiemon shows off the bundles of gold coins in his purse.
I'm letting you out now, sorry it's so stuffy in there.
Hachiemon brings out the bundles of gold coins.
That's a lot of gold! He must be rich.
Look! I have 100 gold coins too!
Goaded by Hachiemon, Chubei brings out the money he is carrying.
But this money belongs to a samurai lord and breaking the seals means execution.
Real gold makes this nice sound. Does yours?
Listen to this great sound!
Your gold sounds bad.
Your hearing is bad.
My hearing is perfect!
Then listen!
It sounds different.
- It's the same!
- Different!
Cut it out, Chubei! It's fate that I have money and you don't!
No money is like not having a head! What a useless idiot!
The desperate Chubei has unwittingly broken the seal on the coins.
Ah! But that means death!
Exactly!
150! 200!
Don't be surprised yet! There's still more!
Now Chubei is bold, because he knows he must die.
250! 300!
Hachiemon, how do you like that!
We have some Edo-period money here.
These are "koban" gold coins.
This bundle has "a hundred ryo" written on it.
We use these quite a lot.
They're quite heavy!
Oh they are!
Right? Surprisingly so.
So, a hundred ryo... How much would that be now?
Well, the value kept changing through the Edo period, but basically, one "ryo" would be about 100,000 yen or $900 today.
Ten million yen?!
Yes, exactly.
Wait a minute! Hey, hang on there ...
Now, now, miss! Give that back!
So were these pure gold?
The real coins had silver and other metals mixed in with the gold.
So how do you make the "koban" props today?
Well, they're imitations made with brass and aluminum.
We try and make the shape as accurate as possible.
So, shall we copy the play?
Love to!
You be Hachiemon and I'll be Chubei.
The bad guy? Sure.
Let's go. I'll start.
That's a great sound, isn't it?
No, no, no!
This sound's better!
Nonsense! Listen carefully.
Your ears are bad!
This is the sound of real gold.
- No, this is real!
- No, this one!
Yay!
Ah! You were great!
Really?
Yes!
Thank you.
But after this, the paper with the seal on Chubei's bundle breaks.
That's right.
And in the play breaking the seal is a death sentence.
The shock of that moment is huge.
But once he's done it, he decides to brazen it out.
And different actors will break it differently.
So, may I show you?
Please do!
We just saw it happen like this.
Mm, sublime!
Sounds so good!
Today we've looked at the props used by "tachiyaku" roles in kabuki.
There's such an extraordinary variety of props used in our plays.
Indeed!
And Mr. Seki and his team not only know what's needed for each play,
they know each actor's preferences and they prepare accordingly.
I felt like the props themselves were almost like kabuki characters.
I agree.
And it wasn't just the appearances that were interesting. Even the sound played a big role!
There's a lot of things we need to watch out for with props,
but the key is for each actor to feel that every prop helps him become the character.
Several plays absolutely rely on props as a centerpiece of the plot.
The props have to be exactly right, but can't be obtrusive.
That's our goal.
- Thank you for all of your hard work!
- Thank you.
Thank you!
Thank you for joining us!
Please visit our website! You can find lots of information on kabuki.
And now, you can also view video digests of our show, don't forget send us your comments and questions!
Ainosuke-san, it's time for our ending!
Are you ready, Sarah?
Of course!
Hear ye!
That's all for today!