Actor mouth shamisen - Yakushakuchisamisen

Japanese: 役者口三味線 - やくしゃくちさみせん

Actor Review Record. Written by Ejima Kiseki. Published by Yamozuya Yazaemon in March 1699 (Genroku 12). It is a horizontal book with a black cover, and consists of three volumes (Kyoto, Osaka, Edo). This is the first actor review record from Yamozuya, known for publishing theatrical books such as the standard version of Joruri and Kyogen books. Each volume is written in the order of a small note (catalog), an actor list, an opening speech, and actor reviews. There are also several pages of illustrations. Most previous Yaro Review Records were written on washi paper, and were like a photo of young female actors and young men, whose looks could be enjoyed through illustrations and reviews. However, this book is a small horizontal book, and is a practical Kabuki guidebook that covers all actors, including leading actors and villains, and is centered on performance reviews.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

役者評判記。江島其磧（きせき）著。1699年(元禄12)3月，八文字屋八左衛門刊。黒表紙の横本で，3巻(京，大坂，江戸)3冊からなる。浄瑠璃の正本や狂言本など演劇書の出版で知られる八文字屋の最初の役者評判記で，内容は，各巻が小書(目録)，役者目録，開口，役者評の順に記されている。ほかに数ページの挿絵がある。これまでの野郎（やろう）評判記が多く半紙本で，若女方や若衆方の容姿を挿絵や評判で楽しむといったブロマイド的性格だったのが，本書は小型横本で，立役や敵役などすべての役者を網羅した演技評中心の読み物として実用的な歌舞伎案内書となっている。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Actor Review - Yakushahyobanki

>>: Actor picture - Yakushae