Echigo Lion

Jiuta (traditional folk song) and Kabuki dance based on the Kakubeijishi lion from Echigo.

(1) Jiuta. It was composed by Minesaki Koto of Osaka during the Tenmei and Kansei periods (1781-1801). It was later arranged for the koto and is performed by both the Ikuta and Yamada schools.

(2) Kabuki dance. Nagauta. Lyrics by Shinoda Kinji, music by Kineya Rokuzaemon IX, choreography by Ichiyama Shichijuro II. This is one of the seven transformation dances "Osozakurate Niha no Nanamoji" that was first performed by Nakamura Utaemon III at the Nakamuraza in Edo in March 1811 (Bunka 8). It depicts the figure of Kakubeijishi walking through the streets of Edo. Utaemon rushed to create the dance in order to compete with his rival Bando Mitsugoro III, so he used lyrics and melodies from folk songs such as "Echigojishi" and "Sarashi", which proved to be well received and are still popular today. In particular, the highlight of the song and dance is the section featuring beach songs with a rustic folkloric feel.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

越後出身の角兵衛獅子(かくべえじし)に取材した地歌、および歌舞伎(かぶき)舞踊。

(1)地歌。天明(てんめい)・寛政(かんせい)期（1781～1801）に大坂の峰崎勾当(みねさきこうとう)が作曲。のち、箏曲(そうきょく)に編曲され、生田(いくた)、山田の両流で行われている。

(2)歌舞伎舞踊。長唄(ながうた)。篠田(しのだ)金次作詞、9世杵屋(きねや)六左衛門作曲、2世市山七十郎(なそろう)振付け。1811年（文化8）3月江戸・中村座で3世中村歌右衛門(うたえもん)が初演した七変化舞踊『遅桜手爾葉七字(おそざくらてにはのななもじ)』の一つで、江戸市中を歩く角兵衛獅子の姿を描く。歌右衛門が好敵手3世坂東(ばんどう)三津五郎に張り合って創作を急いだため、地歌の『越後獅子』『晒(さらし)』や民謡などから歌詞、旋律を取り入れたのがかえって好評をよび、現代でも流行している。とくに、ひなびた俚謡(りよう)気分の浜唄(はまうた)の箇所が曲と踊りの眼目。

［松井俊諭］

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