The Tale of Genji 1000 years after - Costume design

There is an organization call “San Kyo Kai” which combine “NOH”* and “KABUKI”** without disctracting their original forms.

Those who know the world of KABUKI  may have heard “Mr, Kamei 3 brothers”.

These three brothers are well known as main people of classic musicians.

It is sometimes said that this “classic music” - Hayashi - controls the world of Kabuki.

The youngest brother, named Tanaka Denjiro, is acquainted with Ms, Nirei who is our representive.

In 2008, this year, there are various events are going on mainly at Kansai district based on “The Tale of Genji 1000 years”

1000 years ago, “The Tale of Genji” has been introduced to the world for the first time.

This is the world’s longest and earliest novel. This novel is not only the excellent literary work but also became the most important source in order to establish our own cultures - arts, literatures, enternatinment, and etc.

Reaching 1000 years after published The Tale of Genji, I deeply thought to re-study this important ideology which was born in this place of outstanding natural beauty.

This must be a good opportunity to re-value this ideology in order to be pride of as Japanese, and to dispatch it domestically and internationally.

The work of “The Tale of Genji 1000 years” is to celebrate great achievement of women in the Heian era at the head of Murasaki Shikibu*** as well as bringing over this Japanese beauty and thoughts to future generations.

As the conclusion of this work, a public performance called ” Suma・Akaishi Genji Fantasy” which is sponsored by San Kyo Kai was held in Nov. 3 - 5.

Nire Ups were asked to be one of sponsors to join this event (JAPAN-FPO also joined as well)

Mr. Tanaka Denjiro requested us below ( this would be the report to inform)

The structure of this stage is that when 2 women of today, who are after 1,000 years later, and 2 men read The Tale of Genji, women, who surround Genji, dance.

The request was to present costumes for those 2 women of today and 2 men. After several meetings, Suzuki Takayuki and Patric Stephan were elected and those 2 designers became in charge of stage costumes.

The performance was held at Kobe Oriental Theatre, where 700 people can be seated.

In 3 days, there was 6 performances; therefore, total of 4,200 people would have seen this performances.

Brochure has given to all audience.

It is not allowed to take photos, but I indicated costumes for this event as well as brochure as PDF on this brog.

*NOH - a major form of classic Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century.

**KABUKI - the highly stylized classical Japanese dance-drama counterpart of the Indian dance-drama Kathakali, noted for its: attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion.

***Murasaki Shikibu is also known as Lady Mariachi as she is sometimes known in English, was a Japanese novelist, poet, and a maid of honor of the imperial court the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1008, one of the earliest novels in human history.