Musume Dōjōji

, commonly called , is a kabuki dance drama. It is the oldest surviving Noh-based Kabuki dance drama, which tells the story of a maiden who dances before a bell in the Dōjō-ji temple and then reveals herself to be a serpent-demon. The work is noted for its sequence of dances during which the performer dances for nearly an hour with nine changes of costume. It may be considered the most important piece in the kabuki dance repertoire, one that the onnagatas are required to learn to show their mastery of classic dances. It is classified as one of the that involve quick change of costumes and roles. Geisha and other dancers may also learn to perform parts of the dance as solo buyō dance pieces.

Origin

''Musume Dojoji'' originates from the Noh play '' Dōjōji'' which refers to the tale of a woman later named Kiyohime, who transforms into a serpent-demon out of rage due to an unrequited love for a Buddhist priest, and then destroys a temple bell in Dōjō-ji where he was hidden by the monks of the temple, thereby killing him. The Noh play relates an event some years later when a new bell is being installed. A maiden dances at the dedication ceremony for the new bell, before revealing herself to be the serpent-demon who had previously destroyed the bell, and leaps into the bell.

A Kabuki version of the story may have been performed as early as the 1670s, and it was performed in Edo in 1701. In 1731, a variation of the story was performed as a ''shosagoto'' (Kabuki dance drama) at the Nakamura theatre by Segawa Kikunojo I (瀬川菊之丞) called or , and this version forms the prototype for later works on the same theme. The original version of ''Keisei Dojoji'' is lost, and the version that survives today tells of Katsuragi, a shirabyōshi (courtesan specializing in song and dance), who visits the temple to pray to the bell in the hope that her prayers will clear away her burden of sin.

In 1752, a new version of the kabuki dance drama was introduced by Nakamura Tomijūrō I (中村富十郎) in Kyoto in an attempt to outdo the version by Segawa Kikunojo I. He then performed this version at the Nakamura theatre in Edo the following year. This version, commonly referred to as ''Musume Dojoji'', proved to be more popular and has since become the definitive version of the play today. The text of this version was written by Fujimoto Tobun, with music by Kineya Yajirō and Kineya Yasaburō, and choreography by Ichikawa Dangorō.

Synopsis

The drama begins at the Dōjō-ji temple where monks are getting ready to consecrate a new bell to replace the old one destroyed by the serpent demon. A shirabyōshi named Hanako (白拍子花子) approaches the gate of the temple and expresses her interest in worshipping before the new bell. The monks initially refuse her, indicating that women are not allowed at the ceremony due to the previous incident with the serpent-demon, but they eventually relent on condition that she performs a sacred dance for them at the ceremony. Hanako first dances solemnly in a formal Noh style, before she performs more lively kabuki dances, changing her costume quickly by employing a quick-change technique called ''hikinuki'' (引き抜き, ). She then continues with a number of different dances, and the monks become enchanted by her dancing. Her dancing becomes more agitated, and the monks, alarmed, try but fail to stop her. Eventually she climbs up the bell and reveals herself to be a snake that had previously destroyed the bell, which is where the drama ends.

Variations of the story are found in other versions of the play. In one version, the bell lifts to reveal that she has transformed into a serpent or dragon who then becomes exorcised by an ''oshimodoshi'' (a repeller of demons) and the monks' prayers. In another, a group of ''yoten'' fighters arrange themselves to form the dragon tail at the end.

Scenes and dances

The opening scene shows a large bell suspended above the stage, and the play starts with a group of monks coming onto the stage.
*Hanako appears on the ''hanamichi'' stage and performs a graceful posture dance ''michiyuki'' signifying a young woman in love. In the course of the dance, she sits down to look at a mirror and adjusts her hair, then she crunches up a piece of paper ''kaishi'' representing a handkerchief and throws it to the audience as is customary. She reaches the gate of the temple and asks the monks to be allowed to pray before the bell. After granting her permission, she was handed a tall gold ''tateboshi'' hat by the monks. She left the stage with the hat and this is followed by a humorous scene with a group of monks.

* Hanako appears in a red costume wearing the tall gold hat from the temple, with a row of nagauta musicians seated on a platform behind. She looks at the bell, and performs a ''shirabyōshi'' dance with a larger formal fan in a solemn ''noh'' style.
*In the middle of the dance, she takes off her hat, which she may toss to hang on the rope of the bell. She starts to dance in a pure kabuki style, in the midst of which she performs a ''hikinuki'' to reveal a new pale coloured costume. She follows this with a dance that represents bouncing a ball while on bended knees to express the lively innocence of a young girl. This is followed by a quick dance that evokes the pleasure quarters, and she alternates this dance with the bouncing ball action before she leaves the stage.
*Hanako reappears with the top of her kimono pulled down to reveal another costume, wearing a large circular hat. One each hand she holds a ''furidashigasha'', which is a slightly smaller replica of the circular hat she wears, but each ''furidashigasha'' turns out to be three linked hats which she flings out while dancing a ''kasa odori''.

*Hanako retires from the stage, to be followed by a dance performed by the monks with parasols, and a musical interlude. She reappears with a new costume holding a ''tenugui'' cloth. She starts with a slow ''furi'' lament dance holding the ''tenugui''.
* She changes into another costume, and has a kakko drum strapped to her chest while she hold the drum sticks on her hands. She performs a dance while beating the drum.
* She performs another ''hikinuki'' to reveal a new costume, and she now holds a ''suzudaiko'' tambourine in each hand. She rhythmically beats the tambourines together and on the floor, which becomes more agitated. The monks, alarmed, rush onto the stage. The bell descends while she dances.
*She goes behind the bell to change into a new costume, with her hair hanging down in two strands on either side of the face. She climbs up on the bell, and her kimono peels back to reveal a costume that represents the snake.

Versions

There are many different plays based on the theme of ''Musume Dojoji''. These works are collectively referred to as ''Dojojimono'' (Dojoji Temple plays); examples include ''Ninin Dojoji'' (二人道成寺) with two dancing maidens, ''Gonin Dojoji'' with five maidens, ''Yakko Dojoji'' (奴道成寺) with the main role performed by a male tachiyaku, and ''Meoto Dojoji'' (男女道成寺) with an onnagata and a tachiyaku performing. There is even a Christian version ''Kirishitan Dojoji'' where the action takes place in a church. In addition to the Noh original and the various kabuki dance dramas, other versions also exist in bunraku theatre. Characters from other traditions and milieu such as Benkei, the monk Mongaku, and the Soga brothers may also be added to the play.

References

External links

* Produced by Koga Production. Short 5-minute excerpt (9'–14') from ''Musume Dōjōji''
* {{youTube, id=4tX28aIybrQ, title=Dojoji / Kan Nishikawa @Kabukiza Theatre A complete performance

Kabuki plays