Noh: “Shōjō”
The Noh “Shōjō” is the story of an encounter one autumn evening between a young man named Kōfu who lives at the foot of Mt. Kanekin in China and a mysterious wine-loving creature called Shōjō who lives in the sea.
It begins with Kōfu narrating that as a virtuous and dutiful son he has been rewarded for these traits with a dream oracle. In it he was told to open a wine shop in Yōzu. He did so and became prosperous. One day a stranger came to the shop. No matter how much he drank his complexion never changed and he never seemed drunk. When Kofu asked his name he said he was called Shōjō, and lives in the sea.
Now Kōfu is on his way to Shinnyō Bay to meet his friend, Shōjō. They enjoy drinking together, the moonlight reflected in their wine cups gradually seen to wane as the night passes. Shōjō dances the Chūnomai, a medium tempo dance, in this case including the taiko, or stick drum, in celebration of their friendship. The Shōjō then presents Kōfu with a jar of wine that will never run dry. When Kōfu awakens after falling into a drunken sleep, he finds that the jar is still there and filled with wine, proof of his joyous encounter.
Because it is a short play in one act “Shōjō” is often one of the first Noh students learn and may also be one of the first Noh a young actor performs. Its joyous characteristics have led to it be presented in various forms including as many as seven Shōjō appearing together and the inclusion of a large damask covered stage property representing the jar of wine given to Kōfu. The performance variation called “Midare” or “Shōjō Midare” requires mastering a unique musical and dance interpretation of the Chūnomai.
“Shōjō” is associated with the Chrysanthemum Festival, or Chōyō-no-Sekku, the seasonal festival held on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, considered most auspicious because the strongest odd number, nine, is doubled. At this time people would drink sake steeped in dew taken from kisewata, layers of cotton placed the night before on chrysanthemum blossoms, symbols of longevity also considered to have medicinal properties.
Noh “Shōjō”
Featuring actors of the Kongō School of Noh
Shite (leading role):
Tatsushige Udaka
Waki (supporting role):
Kinjiro Ezaki
Fue (flute):
Yasuhiro Sakō
Kotsuzumi (shoulder drum):
Ichiro Kichisaka
Otsuzumi (hip drum):
Yasuhiko Ishii
Koken (stage attendants):
Tatsunori Kongō
Isumi Yamada
Jiutai (chorus):
Yukihiro Teshima
Katsunori Imai
Kōji Teshima
Tadasuke Sōmyō
Location: Kongō Noh Theatre
©︎Norishige Udaka, Tatsushige Udaka
・English translation and subtitles: Rebecca Teele Ogamo
・Traduzione e sottotitoli italiani: Diego Pellecchia
・Tradução e legendas em português: Angela Mayumi Nagai
・中文翻译：周思敏
・Traductions et sous-titres en français: Monique Arnaud