In this video, we take a closer look at the acting in one scene in the 1808 dance-drama Kuruwa Bunshō ("Love Letters from the Pleasure Quarter"). As representative examples of the wagoto acting for the classic role of Fujiya Izaemon we will take the Kamigata actors Kataoka Nizaemon XV and Nakamura Ganjirō IV, with some glimpses from the Tokyo actor Nakamura Kanzaburō XVII.
Special thanks to the late James R. Brandon for his wonderful translation of the Narikomaya version of Kuruwa Bunshō in his book "Kabuki: Five Classic Plays", Paul M. Griffith for his illuminating commentary of Nizaemon XV's 2009 and 2013 Kabuki-za performances, and Tamotsu Watanabe for his explanations of the Nizaemon, Ganjirō, Sōjūrō, Uzaemon and Kikugorō acting traditions.
My deepest gratitude also to the Patreon members for their continued support: C. H. White, Eric Pan, SuperGingernutz, calvin and Valerie!
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