This special New Year's edition of "Kikunojo Diary - Listening to Good Things" features a conversation between Kikunojo and kabuki actor Nakamura Kangyoku. Kangyoku will play the lead role of Kaoru in "Meibokugenji Monogatari Yume no Ukihashi," directed and choreographed by Kikunojo, which will be held at the Tokyo Forum from February. The conversation between the two, who have known Kangyoku since their days as a child actor, began with reminiscing and expanded to a discussion of the arts.

When he was two years old, his mother took him to the Kabukiza Theater, where he quietly watched Kabuki.

Onoe Kikunosuke ((Kikunojo) "The first time I met Tadama-san,"Flowers of Taste"That was it."

Nakamura Tsuyutama ((Tsubakidama) "Yes, the first time I had the opportunity to speak to him was in 'Shuko no Hana'. I was in the fifth or sixth grade of elementary school. But I have been watching Kikunojo-sensei perform under his new name, 'Seikado', since I was in the Onoe school training hall. I was about four or five years old then."

Kikunojo"It was at this studio that we had been doing small performances in front of audiences of around 50 people for several years. Did you like acting and dancing from such an early age?"

Buds"Anyway, it seems that I loved classical kabuki. I don't remember it myself, but my mother says that when I was two years old, my mother took me to a main performance at the Kabuki-za Theater and I watched it quietly."

Kikunojo"Two years old!"

Buds"Even before then, he had been an avid watcher of kabuki programs broadcast on television, so it seems he thought he'd take him to the Kabukiza. One performance that remains in my memory is "Jukshukou," performed in 2002 by the uncle of the late Nakamura Jakuemon IV. I watched it from the first floor. I remember it vividly. I was six years old."

[Flower of Taste]

This study group was held annually for young Kabuki actors, organized by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegoro (now Matsumoto Koshiro), Japanese dancer Fujima Kanjuro, and Onoe Kikunojo. Various Kabuki scenes were performed in front of an audience without costumes or makeup, and the actors demonstrated drumming, gidayu and ohayashi, which they had practiced. It was held for seven years from 3 to 2008, and many of the young Kabuki actors currently active in the industry were brought up through this "Shuko no Hana" program.

My first impression was, "What a mischievous kid" (laughs).

Kikunojo"The trigger for him to start on the path to Kabuki was when he went to see the 'Azuma Odori' at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theater."

Buds"That's right. I was in the first grade of elementary school. During break time in the lobby, I was imitating my favorite character, Kirare Yozaburo (the main character from Yohanasake Ukina no Yokogushi), when a dance teacher called out to me. That's how I started taking dance lessons, and before long I was able to train as an apprentice in the dressing room of Nakamura Baigyoku IV, my current adoptive father."

Kikunojo"A first grade elementary school student imitating 'Kirare Yozabu' in the lobby of the Shinbashi Enbujo Theater. That must have been quite conspicuous. It was about four or five years later that I started participating in 'Shuko no Hana.' My first impression of him was that he was a bit of a mischievous kid (laughs)."

Buds"Was that cheeky of you? (laughs)"

Kikunojo"No, not at all. To put it another way, I thought he was a very curious child. At the time he went by the name Umemaru, so everyone called him Maru-chan and loved him. There was a rakugo story called Sanada Kozo, which features a mischievous child, and at the time I had been thinking about turning a rakugo story into a play, so I directed it and had Tsubakitama perform it. I think that was Tsubakitama's first leading role. (Laughs) He performed brilliantly. My impression is that he absorbed everything I told him."

Buds"My only memories of Shukou no Hana are that I enjoyed it."

Kikunojo"It was a fun summer study group for young actors in their teens and twenties. We didn't stay overnight, but it had the atmosphere of a summer camp. It was a study group where young actors took on a variety of challenges, such as performing classical kabuki as hakama kabuki, trying out works that wouldn't be performed in a regular show, and performing kabuki music such as nagauta, jōru, and hayashi."

莟Tama: "I had the opportunity to do a variety of things. It was held every summer, so in between lessons I would do my homework in a corner of the Onoe-ryu school training hall."

Kikunojo"That's right. It brings back memories. For young actors who have graduated from being child actors, there are hardly any roles suitable for their age in the main performances at the Kabukiza Theater, so there is a kind of blank period. Shuko no Hana was also a place where I could experience various things during that blank period."

Buds"We're very grateful."

I had a blast at "Kitsune" by "Itsuseikai"

Kikunojo"She will be particularly busy from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year, with the Meijiza Theater's 'Oten no Mon' at the end of the year, the New Year's Asakusa Kabuki at the beginning of the year, and the role of Kaoru in the play 'Meiboku Genji Monogatari Yume no Ukihashi' that I am directing in February."

Buds"I am very grateful to have been asked. My adoptive father, Nakamura Baigyoku, is an actor who has only performed classical kabuki. I also love classical kabuki, so I thought I would follow that path. However, when I was approached about the TV drama, my adoptive father told me, 'Try other genres as well.' With that encouragement, I have been able to take on many different challenges."

Kikunojo"The importance of the classics is the same in any genre of traditional performing arts. I guess it's like taking the basic skills you learn there and applying them to other fields. You've been performing in a variety of productions recently."

Buds""Itseikai"I was really happy when I was asked to join. It was a meeting I had always wanted to attend."

Kikunojo"That was in 2022. You were cast in the new production of 'The Fox.'

Buds"I only realized this after I had the opportunity to participate, but I was amazed and impressed at how much Kikunojo and Ippei managed to accomplish given the limited time they had. Seeing them, I really felt that it's important to have a wide range of skills at work."

Kikunojo"It's hard to create something of a certain standard within a limited time, but it's also rewarding. If I were told to take my time to finish it, it would take me my whole life to finish it. If I take my time, I won't get anywhere."

[Ichiseikai]

The duo was started in 2009 by Onoe Kikunojo and Noh performer Shigeyama Ippei. Numerous guests from various genres of traditional performing arts, including Kabuki, Noh, and dance, appear on a daily basis, and new works that explore new possibilities in Japanese dance and Kyogen are performed every year. In 15, the 2024th anniversary of the group, new works that have been announced so far will be performed with a new cast as a commemorative performance.

Don't let the momentum slow! Asakusa Kabuki is sprinting ahead!

Kikunojo"It started on the 2nd.Asakusa KabukiStarting this year, the new generation, including Tadama-san, has taken the lead.

Buds"That's right. I've been asked to do this before, but this year is truly the year of our generation. I will do my best in every production, not just Asakusa Kabuki, but Asakusa Kabuki is special after all. Our predecessors up until now, all of them, have run at full speed with a burning desire not to let the momentum stop with their generation. Having witnessed this, I am working hard with a kind of sense of mission that the momentum must not stop with our generation.

I feel like the world today is no longer one in which customers come just because the cast is fresh. That's why I feel like we need to establish a proper performance and make sure the audience enjoys it. So the seven of us exchanged various opinions and created the stage. We're running at full speed. And in February, we'll be working with Kikunojo-sensei on "Meibokugenji Monogatari Yume no Ukihashi."

I want to bring out the best in performers from a variety of genres.

Kikunojo"As I mentioned before, in 'The Story of Meiboku Genji: The Bridge of Dreams,' there is a scene where you play the biwa. How is your practice going?"

Buds"I'm doing it little by little. It's hard because I also have to sing."

Kikunojo"That's right. Of course, the play is not a straight play. It is a new style that will allow you to enjoy musical scenes, dance, musical instruments, and costumes, while still respecting the stylistic aspects. I have named it a 'poetry, music, and drama.' Within this stage production, I would like to have Takitama sing some songs that are a little more modern, but not pop."

Buds"It was my first time to check my vocal range for singing."

Kikunojo"The play features performers from a variety of genres, including Takarazuka alumni, stage actors, dancers, and Kabuki actors. I try to bring out the best in each performer. In the end, I think that acting can be made more profound by challenging oneself with a variety of things, sometimes even playing an instrument or singing, rather than just acting or dancing. I feel that before I knew it, people who share my ideas have gathered together."

Buds"Kikunojo himself is not only involved in dance, but has also performed in straight plays, choreographed the performances of "Daifugo Doshin" and "Tetsuwan" at the Kabukiza Theater in January, and directed the ice show "Hyouen." He is extremely active in a wide range of fields."

Kikunojo"If you have the mindset of continuing to do only what you can do, you will feel that what you can do is ultimately limited, and in the end you will not be able to accomplish much. I think it is important to have a spirit of challenge, to try things that you may not be able to do, even if it means stretching yourself a little.

In the midst of these challenges, rather than showing the audience what he is not yet able to do, he wants them to see him struggling desperately and growing, even if only little by little. In particular, at his current age, in his late 20s, I think he is at an age where he needs to put some pressure on himself, hone himself, and do what is necessary to push himself."

Buds"For now, I am playing both female and male roles. I am sometimes asked which one I want to go in, but at the moment I am still in the period where I need to learn and absorb a lot of different things, so I am not in a position to say which direction I want to go in or which role I want to play. My goal this year is to do my best in the roles I am given. At the same time, I do have dreams of becoming an actor who can do this in the future, and I would like to express those dreams when the time comes."

Kikunojo"It's important to have dreams. My personal goal this year is to carefully tackle each and every task in front of me. It's like I'm constantly fighting, but I also need to be careful with my opponents. At the same time, I tell myself that I need to think about my vision for the future. I hope to take on many new challenges together with Takitama-san."

Buds"I look forward to working with you again in the future. Thank you for today."

Kikunojo"Thank you very much for your help."

Kangyoku Nakamura

■ The first Nakamura Kangyoku

Born in 1996. A fan of Kabuki from an early age, at the age of seven he began attending the dressing room of Nakamura Baigaku IV as an apprentice. In 7 he made his debut as a child actor at the National Theatre, and in 2005 he became a trainee of Nakamura Baigaku. In 2006 he took on the name of Nakamura Tsubamedama I and was adopted by Nakamura Baigaku. He has performed as both a leading actor and a female actor, and is highly regarded as one of the future leaders of the Kabuki world. His stage name is Takasagoya.

Kikunojo Onoe

■ Onoe Kikunojo III, fourth-generation head of the Onoe school

Born in 1976. He started studying under his father at the age of two and made his debut on stage at the age of five. In 2, he inherited the fourth head position of the Onoe school and took on the stage name Onoe Kikunojō III. He hosts his own recital, "Onoue Kikunojō no Kai," and the "Itsusei-kai" with Kyogen master Shigeyama Ippei. He also devotes himself to creating new works and has presented a wide range of works. He has directed and choreographed in a variety of genres, including new Kabuki, Hanamachi dance, the Takarazuka Revue, the OSK Nippon Revue, and ice skating shows "Hyouen" and "Luxe."

Part-time lecturer at Kyoto University of the Arts / Director of the Japanese Dance Association

Text by Masao Sakurai (Office Clover), Photo by Natsuko Okada (Studio Mug)