Speech - Factory

Originally, it meant to convey something orally, not in writing. In the field of performing arts, in Kabuki and Bunraku puppet theater, when the theater wanted to communicate something to the audience, it would be said orally from the stage. Historically, the opening speech was to announce the title of the kyogen play and the names of the performers before the curtain rose, and in the Genroku period (1688-1704), the "koujoyaku" was considered one of the most important roles. This format has been passed down in Bunraku puppet theater even today. In Kabuki, old-fashioned production techniques remain, such as the "joruri bure," which introduces the title of the play and its performers and performers, and the "kirikōjō," which ends the act with "First of all, that's all for today." Today, when the word "koujo" is used, it often refers to the opening speech for a debut, a name succession, a memorial service, etc. This is a one-act performance in which actors dressed in formal attire line up and greet each other in turn. There is also a method in which the play is temporarily stopped during the Kyogen performance, and the actors sit upright in their costumes and deliver their opening remarks.

[Yukio Hattori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

元来は、文書によらず口頭で事柄を伝達することをいう。芸能の分野では、歌舞伎(かぶき)や人形浄瑠璃(じょうるり)において、劇場側が観客に何かを伝える場合に、舞台から口頭で述べることになっていた。歴史的には、幕があく前に狂言名題(なだい)や出演者の名を述べる口上が古く、元禄(げんろく)期（1688～1704）には「口上役」が重要な役の一つと考えられていた。今日も人形浄瑠璃にはこの形式が伝わっている。歌舞伎では、劇中の浄瑠璃名題とその演奏者・出演者を紹介する「浄瑠璃触(ぶ)れ」、幕切れに「まず本日はこれまで」という「切口上(きりこうじょう)」などが、古風な演出として残っている。今日、ただ「口上」というときには、初舞台、襲名、追善などの披露口上をさすことが多い。これは、とくに一幕を設けて礼装をした俳優がずらりと居並び、順々に挨拶(あいさつ)する。狂言の途中で劇を一時中断し、登場人物の扮装(ふんそう)のままで正座し、口上を述べるというやり方もある。

［服部幸雄］

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