Shosagoto (所作事) orfurigoto (振事), also known as dance or dance-drama, is a type ofkabuki play based ondance.[1] It is one of the three genres of kabuki, together withjidaimono (historical plays) andsewamono (contemporary plays).
A central element of kabuki since its origin in 1603,shosagoto plays became an important part of the kabuki repertoire towards the end of the17th century, and still forms a key part of the kabuki repertoire today. For example, the January 2018 program at theKabuki-za inTokyo included threeshosagoto performances.[2]
There are several types of kabuki dances. An important difference is between the mainly non-narrative dances withnagauta accompaniment (such asFuji Musume), and the more dramatic ones, with complex storylines and characters (such asKanjinchō).[3] Thenagauta musicians are often seated in rows on stepped platforms behind the dancers.[4] There are many other distinctions and styles. For example,matsubame mono dances include particularly theatricalized sets and costumes, often including quick on-stage changes of clothes (calledhikinuki).[5][3]Hengemono dances involve a single actor playing different roles.[6]
From the very origin ofkabuki in 1603, whenIzumo no Okuni began performing in the dry riverbeds ofKyoto - a style referred to asokuni kabuki - dance has been a central element of kabuki, and in fact those first performances involved more dance and music than drama.[7][8]
An important early development of dance in kabuki was the incorporation of elements fromkeigoto,bunraku dance scenes.[7] However, propershosagoto dances, performed byonnagata (lit. "female role") actors, entered the kabuki repertoire in theGenroku period (1688-1704) (see alsoGenroku bunka). The form was further developed from theKyoho to theHoreki period (1716–1764), andnagauta became the main form of accompaniment.[9]
The first actor to perfect the genre wasSegawa Kikunojo I (c. 1693–1749),[7] considered an excellent dancer and the bestonnagata inEdo during the first half of the 18th century.[10] He became very successful shortly after arriving to the city in 1730 by performing the leading role on the danceAioi Jishi at theNakamura-za.[11] He specialized in the performance ofShakkyomono (such asAioi jishi) andDojojimono dances.[12] Some other important dance roles he performed in those early years wereSayo no Nakayama Asama-ga-Dake (1736),Mugen no Kane (1739),Hanabusa Shishi no Rangyoku andMakura Jishi (1742), andMugen no Kane Omoi no Akatsuki (1746).[10]
Another important actor in the early development ofonnagata shosagoto wasNakamura Tomijuro I (1719–1786), also said to have perfected kabuki dance.[13] A native ofOsaka, he achieved great success early in his career with performances of aShakkyomono dance, particularly inEdo at theNakamura-za in 1741 and then again in 1748.[14] His greatest accomplishment was his performance of the main role in the debut of one of the most famous kabuki dances,Musume Dojoji, in 1753, again at the Nakamura-za.[15] The performance was so successful[16][14] that it was staged for several months, and Tomijuro became one of the most famous actors in Edo.[17]
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