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Modern training that supports the “secret songs” of traditional performing arts

伝統芸能の“秘曲”を支える現代的トレーニング

(TOP image) Photography: Kaoru Kunisaki

A cypress stage for Kyogen artists living in the 21st century
Vol.8 Modern training that supports the “secret songs” of traditional performing arts
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)

The other day, I performed ``Tsurikitsune'', which is said to be a secret piece in a Kyogen performance. The Okura-ryu Kichijiro Kyogen Society, sponsored by my father's family, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and this is my second attempt at this performance.

Let me explain the story briefly.
A fox whose family has been fished by a hunter disguises himself as a monk named Hakuzosu and goes to persuade the hunter to stop fishing for the fox. About that return trip. When the fox finds bait in a trap discarded by a hunter, he succumbs to temptation and finally takes off his kimono, reveals his true nature, and gets caught in the trap. In the end, the fox manages to escape from the trap and runs away, chased by the hunter.
It is said to be the most difficult of the 180 Kyogen performances, and requires the mind, skill, and body, so it is customary to perform it as the last stage of the completion program after approximately 20 years of training. For this reason, it can be compared to a ``graduation thesis'' in Kyogenkata. In other words, it is not until you perform the role of ``The Fishing Fox'' that you are recognized as a full-fledged person.
I performed it for the first time at the age of 26, and this commemoration marks my second performance.
*Mae Shite Hakuzosu (Photo: Kaoru Kunisaki)

Needless to say, it is technically difficult. But even more important than that is physical strength.
Since the fox is disguised as a human, the performer lowers his/her hips sufficiently. For 40 minutes in the first half, he speaks, speaks, jumps, and sings in this position.
And the biggest problem is the heat.
Hakuzosu wears a fluffy fox costume and a costume on top of that. On his head is a horned hat, gloves, and a mask.
Only the nape of the neck is exposed to the air.
*Fox costumes and traps. Carefully check for any damage before the stage!

As I approached the age of 40, physical fitness was the biggest issue for me. If you don't have physical strength, you won't be able to utilize your skills. So, I started training this year.
・Running 5km
・30 minutes of muscle training
・Yoga 20 minutes
・Stretching for 30 minutes
At first, he was just getting used to it, but from the beginning of May, he hit a spurt and pushed himself all at once.

As mentioned earlier, I needed to take precautions against the heat, so I always wanted to wear a "hot" outfit when running.
I found the long-sleeved ``Gokuwarn'' clothes sold at a certain clothing store to be very useful.
Of course, the tights are "Heattech".
He was also dressed in a sauna suit, with a towel around his head and neck, gloves and a mask.
He runs while mumbling his lines.
He was running along the embankment in a very suspicious manner, but fortunately no one thought he was suspicious. I didn't choose clothes sold at sports stores because it's best to wear clothing that makes it difficult to move. Training is meaningless if you don't put a load on it.

The muscle training focused on inner muscles. I've never been interested in muscle training or anything, so the only thing I knew was push-ups, but recently I was surprised to find out that there are more efficient ways to train. If you look it up on the site, you'll find many posts on YouTube that will give you detailed information. Just slowly practicing the 5 types of exercise that you have chosen for yourself is enough to make you sweat.
I practiced stretching and yoga by buying or borrowing books.
I found that just by seriously doing one book's worth of stretching, my body became much lighter. It will also tell you exactly which muscles to stretch.
There are various poses in yoga, but I focused my efforts on strengthening the core.

Actually, I thought that stretching and yoga had nothing to do with Kyogen. However, when I actually tried it, I found that my performance improved tremendously, and I was ashamed of myself for believing in it.
Anyway, I feel light. Stability is created in the slippery foot.

What surprised me most was the sports drinks. Instead of the sports drinks I had been drinking, I was recommended a product called hypotonic water. It absorbs water quickly, so water doesn't clump up in your stomach.
Additionally, energy drinks are a must. Take it before going on stage. Even when it's time to enter (leave the theater and re-enter the stage), I consume a gel-like drink that quickly recovers my strength and muscles. I was able to perform on stage using the power of modern times.

Huge physical strength, and on top of that, technology. The mental strength that supports it. I think this is a performance that truly combines mind, skill, and body. *The fox behind the shite. A special mask used only for foxes. Visibility is almost zero. (Photo: Kaoru Kunisaki)

Why do you go to such lengths? I was once asked this.
34 years of experience. 13 years have passed since the premiere. Maybe he wanted to know what his current limit was. I think I wanted to find the answer to whether what I had accumulated was correct.
All that remained was "Do it or not?" Set a goal for yourself and work towards it. We strive to satisfy our customers who view our work.
It was his single-mindedness.

From now on, my physical strength will decline. On the other hand, technology and spirit improve.
I think it's a performance that's appropriate for me to pour out everything I've accumulated in my life up to that age.
In 10 or 20 years from now, I want to challenge myself again to reach my ultimate limit.

*Due to copyright, the Moral Rights Protection Act, and the Portrait Rights Protection Act, image processing and secondary use of the posted photos is strictly prohibited.

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