Waki Kyo-gen

"O-edo shibai nenjiu gyo-ji" "Waki kyo-gen"
Artist: 吟光　O-ban, Colour print
Ritsumeikan Art Research Center(arcUP2043)

Waki Kyo-gen is a program handed down from old times and was performed in the early morning after Sanbasou. Waki Kyo-gen was usually performed by apprentice-actors called Inari machi and below Sanmaime accompanists, so it was usually a place for training rookies. This picture shows the program called Shichi Fukijin by Ichimura-za and its song and dance are still remaining until today. Nakamura-za perfomed Shuten Douji and Morita-za performed Koushi-zamurai as Waki Kyo-gen, but Shuten Douji became extinct and only the song of Koushi-zamurai is remaining today.
In Kamigata, there was no specific Waki Kyo-gen program, so often programs were decided depending on the season based on Mibu Kyo-gen.
Waki Kyo-gen inherited old style of Kabuki, and the stage was created closely imitating the old stage by setting up Fusuma (papered sliding door) that pine was painted and placing accompanists on the stage (O-daiko, Japanese bass drum, was painted in this picture). The persons who are showing their faces from Fusuma are called Nagauta, and they sing in undress.

[Glossary]
　Inarimachi、Shitamawari、
【関連コーナー】
　「音響と音楽」