Succession - Shuumei

In classical performing arts or professions requiring traditional special skills, it refers to inheriting the name of an ancestor, parent, teacher, or other predecessor. It is also practiced in performing arts such as Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, Bunraku puppet theater, Japanese music, Japanese dance, Rakugo, and storytelling, as well as in the world of swordsmiths, potters, and craftsmen. It represents the Japanese national character, which values ​​names and families and deifies the transmission of skills and arts, and is deeply related to the ancient patriarchal family system and the iemoto system that was established in relation to it. In the world of performing arts, succession is often done for the purpose of making the person responsible and motivated, and there are also cases where the name of a deceased master who has not directly inherited the art is revived and inherited, or the name is adopted into another family and the stage name of that family is inherited. The most grandiose event is the succession of a famous Kabuki actor's name, which is influenced by the promoter's commercial policy and is treated as a particularly solemn ceremony, with a spectacular debut performance, during which a special "kojo" (introduction) is prepared and the actor plays a major role. Even before the performance, various events are held, such as handing out gifts and greetings to various people, and making a report at the graves of ancestors and previous generations.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古典芸能や伝統的な特殊技術を要する職業で、先祖、父兄、師匠その他先人の名跡を継ぐこと。能、狂言、歌舞伎(かぶき)、人形浄瑠璃(じょうるり)、邦楽、邦舞、落語、講談などの芸能や、刀鍛冶(かじ)、陶工、細工師などの世界でも行われる。名と家を重んじ、技芸の伝承を神格化する日本人の国民性を表し、古来の家父長的な家族制度や、それに関連して成立した家元制度などとも深い関係をもつ。芸能の世界では、当人に責任をもたせ発奮させる目的のための襲名が多く、直接に技芸を伝承されていない故名人の名を復活して継いだり、他家の名前養子になってその家の芸名を継ぐこともある。もっとも大掛りなのは歌舞伎俳優の名家の襲名で、興行者の商業政策にも影響され、とくに重々しく儀式的に扱い、華やかに披露興行を催し、その公演では披露のための「口上(こうじょう)」を設け、当人は大役を勤める。興行に先だっても、各方面への配り物と挨拶(あいさつ)とか、父祖・先代たちの墓前への報告など、いろいろの行事を行う。

［松井俊諭］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例