The Five Chivalrous Thieves EXPLAINED・Shiranami Gonin Otoko (1862)

Kabuki In-Depth -- Mar 24
In our first in-depth look into a sewamono play by Kawatake Mokuami, we cover the play Shiranami Gonin Otoko ("The Five Chivalrous Thieves"), also known by the formal title Aoto Zōshi Hana no Nishikie, or by the more common ones Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami or, simply, Benten Kozō.
We cover here the most often seen acts, III through V, including the famous Hamamatsuya and Inasegawa Seizoroi scenes. I hope to cover, at the very least, the acting traditions for the role of Benten in the future, mainly developed by Kikugorō V, Kikugorō VI and Uzaemon XV.

Traveling Alone on Japan's Only Night Train [Okayama-Tokyo] Thrilling Coupling Scene｜Sunrise Express
At JAPAN - Aug 18
Tonight I'm taking the Sunrise Izumo sleeper express from Okayama station to Tokyo station in a private B sleeper "solo" room
More Japanese firms raising wages to combat labor shortage
inquirer.net - Aug 18
More large Japanese companies are now raising wages to attract workers and cope with chronic staff shortages, a monthly Reuters poll showed on Thursday, a tentative sign Japan Inc may be slowly addressing pay that has been flat for decades.
Kishida orders review of COVID classification
yomiuri.co.jp - Aug 18
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked relevant ministers to review the need for mandatory reporting of coronavirus cases, among other measures, aiming to reduce the burden on public health centers and medical institutions.
Hanae Mori, renowned Japanese fashion designer, dies at 96
theguardian.com - Aug 18
Hanae Mori, the Japanese fashion designer who broke into the world of French haute couture almost half a century ago, has died aged 96, her office said on Thursday.
Health ministry to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits
NHK - Aug 18
Japan's health ministry has decided to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits if they meet certain conditions such as their accuracy is on a par with government-approved products.
Apple Store in Tokyo's Ginza moves to groundbreaking wood building
Nikkei - Aug 18
The Apple Store in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district will move this month to Japan's first 12-story building made of a fire-resistant wood and steel construction.
Fujita to become youngest professional "go" player at age 9
Jiji - Aug 18
Reo Fujita, a 9-year-old Japanese elementary school third-grade boy, will become the youngest professional "go" player on Sept. 1, an association for the traditional board game said Wednesday.
State funeral for former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe faces growing public backlash
South China Morning Post - Aug 18
Opposition is growing in Japan over the decision to hold a state funeral for the late former leader Shinzo Abe.
Why are there many single people in Japan?
Japanese Comedian Meshida - Aug 18
Nowadays in Japan for people 50 years old the unmarried rate for men is 23% and women 14%.
Japan’s government launches competition to get people drinking
theguardian.com - Aug 18
The Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage people to drink more alcohol after a change in attitudes among the young resulted in a slide in tax revenues.
The History of the Japanese Candlesticks
newsonjapan.com - Aug 18
Japanese candlesticks (Japanese candles) are one of the most popular tools for analyzing financial markets.
"Love's Dull Blade and the Ise Dances"・Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba EXPLAINED (1796)
Kabuki In-Depth - Aug 17
Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba ("The Ise Dances and Love's Dull Blade"), written in 1796 and first performed at the Kado no Shibai in Osaka, remains one of the most beloved works in the sewamono repertoire, with major acting traditions in both Kamigata and Tokyo.
Syphilis cases surging in Japan with annual number likely exceeding 10,000
NHK - Aug 17
Syphilis is spreading in Japan faster than it has in more than two decades. Experts say cases of the disease are likely to exceed 10,000 in one year.
Number of suicides in Japan increased 8,000 due to pandemic, study finds
Japan Times - Aug 17
The coronavirus pandemic led to 8,000 more suicides in Japan between March 2020 and June 2022 than would have been expected without it, a recent study has calculated.
Ex-Olympic organizing committee director, 3 others arrested
NHK - Aug 17
A former director of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes.
Former AKB48 idol Minami Minegishi who famously shaved her head announces marriage
Japan Today - Aug 17
On August 16, Minami Minegishi, a former member of the idol group AKB48 and TV personality, revealed that she had gotten married.