The Miyako Odori 2019 - Complete
The deban has finally been published on the official website, so it’s time to see what this year has in store!
The 2019 Miyako Odori will be taking place from April 1st to 27th at the Minamiza Theatre. Due to the limitations of the new location there will be no tea ceremony. Participants Natori Geiko: Mamezuru (まめ鶴), Koman (小萬), Sonomi (そ乃美), Mamehiro (豆弘), Takazuru (孝鶴), Mameka (豆花), Korin (小りん), Fukue (フク愛), Mamechizu (豆千鶴), Terutoyo (照豊), Mameryō (豆涼), Fukuha (福葉), Satomi (里美), Mameya (まめ弥), and Kokimi (小喜美). Geiko: Kogiku (小菊), Mayuha (満友葉), Mamesuzu (まめ鈴), Koai (小愛), Mihoko (美帆子), Mao (真生), Yukako (有佳子), Makiko (槇子), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichiyuri (市有里), Koyō (小耀), Kosen (小扇), Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tsuruha (つる葉), Koyoshi (小芳), Mamemaru (豆まる), Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Masaki (真咲), Mameroku (豆六), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Eriha (恵里葉), Ichitomi (市十美), Katsue (佳つ江), Mikako (実佳子), Shino (紫乃), Ichiharu (市晴), Marika (茉利佳), and Mameryū (まめ柳). Jikata Geiko: Emiji (恵美二), Kimiya (君彌), Komomo (小桃), Danyū (だん祐), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Yoshimame (芳豆), Kimizuru (君鶴), Danka (だん香), Fukunami (福奈美), Masuho (ます穂), Yukizono (幸苑), Koemi (小恵美), Danmitsu (だん満), Mahori (まほ璃), and Emino (恵美乃). Maiko: Mamesumi (豆純), Mameharu (まめ春), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mitsuki (美月), Tomoko (朋子), Kohana (小花), Konami (小なみ), Mametama (豆珠), Tatsuha (多都葉), Yuriha (ゆり葉), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Mizuno (瑞乃), Mameyo (豆誉), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Asuka (あす佳), Ichihiro (市紘), Konatsu (小奈都), Mariko (槇里子), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Miwako (美羽子), Mameyui (豆結), and Mameju (まめ樹).
Scene 1: Okiuta (置歌) - Opening Scene
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳).
Scene 2: Hatsu Ebisu Fuku Sasa Kubari (初恵美須福笹配) - Handing Out Lucky Bamboo at Hatsu Ebisu
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳).
Scene 3: Hōjūji Dono Ima You Awase (法住寺殿今様合) - The Feudal Lord Appears at Hōjūji
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Kogiku (小菊) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Mihoko (美帆子) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Eriha (恵里葉) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Tsuruha (つる葉) Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Mamesuzu (まめ鈴) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Yukako (有佳子) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Ichitomi (市十美) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Mamemaru (豆まる) Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Shirabyoshi Harugiku (白拍子春菊): Mao (真生) Shirabyoshi Wakagiku (白拍子若菊): Katsugiku (佳つ菊) Yūjo Otomae (遊女乙前): Mikako (実佳子) Young Boy Akomaru (童子あこ丸): Masaki (真咲) Scene 4: Shijogawara Okuni No Mai (四条河原阿国舞) - Okuni Dances On The Shijo Riverbed Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Okuni (阿国): Mamehiro (豆弘) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Mameka (豆花) Attendant Kiku (従者菊): Mayuha (満友葉) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Katsutomo (佳つ智)
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Okuni (阿国): Mamechizu (豆千鶴) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Fukue (フク愛) Attendant Kiku (従者菊): Koyoshi (小芳) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Satsuki (紗月)
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Okuni (阿国): Mameryō (豆涼) Nagoya Sanza (名古屋山三): Terutoyo (照豊) Attendant Kiku 従者菊): Fumino (章乃) Attendant Shirahagi (従者白萩): Mameroku (豆六) Scene 5: Warashi Bechō Jajusse No Kotobuki (藁稭長者出世寿) - The Story of The Straw Man Millionaire
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Chōta (長太): Satomi (里美) Chiyo (ちよ): Makiko (槇子) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Koai (小愛) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Ichiharu (市晴) Naokichi (直吉): Katsuhina (佳つ雛)
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Chōta (長太): Mameya (まめ弥) Chiyo (ちよ): Kosen (小扇) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Koyō (小耀) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Marika (茉利佳) Naokichi (直吉): Shino (紫乃)
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Chōta (長太): Kokimi (小喜美) Chiyo (ちよ): Ichiyuri (市有里) Millionaire Ottokenzō (長者夫兼蔵): Sayaka (紗矢佳) Millionaire Tsumaaya (長者妻あや): Mameryū (まめ柳) Naokichi (直吉): Katsue (佳つ江) Scene 6: Katsura Rikyū Momiji Gari (桂離宮紅葉狩) - Viewing Maple Leaves at Katsura Imperial Villa
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Sou Odori (総をどり): Fumino (章乃), Satsuki (紗月), Mariko (槇里子), Koyō (小耀), Mameyui (豆結), Mamesumi (豆純), Mamemaru (豆まる), Koeri (小衿), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Mameju (まめ樹), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mameroku (豆六), Katsugiku (佳つ菊), Ichitomi (市十美), and Mikako (実佳子).
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Sou Odori (総をどり): Sayaka (紗矢佳), Tatsuha (多都葉), Ichihiro (市紘), Mameharu (まめ春), Eriha (恵里葉), Kohana (小花), Asuka (あす佳), Masaki (真咲), Katsue (佳つ江), Nanoha (菜乃葉), Mameryū (まめ柳), Mametama (豆珠), Ichiharu (市晴), Katsuemi (佳つ笑), Mayuha (満友葉), and Tomoko (朋子).
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Sou Odori (総をどり):Kosen (小扇), Katsuharu (佳つ春), Konami (小なみ), Mitsuki (美月), Konatsu (小奈都), Tsuruha (つる葉), Mameyo (豆誉), Shino (紫乃), Katsuhina (佳つ雛), Miwako (美羽子), Katsutomo (佳つ智), Mizuno (瑞乃), Koyoshi (小芳), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), Yuriha (ゆり葉), and Marika (茉利佳). Scene 7: Gion Chaya No Yuki Geshiki (祇園茶屋雪景色) - The Snowy Landscape Around The Gion Ochaya
Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Geiko (芸妓): Mamezuru (まめ鶴) and Takazuru (孝鶴) Maiko (舞妓): Tomoko (朋子), Mitsuki (美月), Mameharu (まめ春), Katsumomo (佳つ桃), and Mametama (豆珠).
Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Geiko (芸妓): Koman (小萬) and Korin (小りん) Maiko (舞妓): Konami (小なみ), Mamekinu (まめ衣), Mamesumi (豆純), Katsuharu (佳つ春), and Yuriha (ゆり葉)
Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Geiko (芸妓): Sonomi (そ乃美) and Fukuha (福葉) Maiko (舞妓): Kohana (小花), Katsuhana (佳つ花), Koeri (小衿), Mamesaya (豆沙弥), and Tatsuha (多都葉). Scene 8: Daikakuji Sakura Kurabe (大覚寺桜比) - Comparing Cherry Blossoms at Daikakuji
All dancers who appeared on stage each day will take part in the finale. Jikata Performers - Nagauta Singer/Shamisen Set 1a: April 1st, 7th, 13th, 19th, and 25th Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Fill In Singer (13th only): Komomo (小桃) Set 1b: April 4th, 10th, 16th, and 22nd Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Set 2a: April 2nd, 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Set 2b: April 5th, 11th, 17th, and 23rd Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Set 3a: April 3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, and 27th Performers (長唄): Danka (だん香), Yukizono (幸苑), Kimiya (君彌), Fukunami (福奈美), and Emino (恵美乃). Fill In Singer (立唄): Touon Matsumura Maya (東音松浦麻矢) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Emiji (恵美二) Fill In Both (交替): Kimizuru (君鶴) Set 3b: April 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th Performers (長唄): Yoshimame (芳豆), Mamechiyo (豆千代), Mahori (まほ璃), Danmitsu (だん満), and Sasaki Naoko (佐々木尚子) Fill In Singer (立唄): Komomo (小桃) Fill In Shamisen (立三味線): Danyū (だん祐) Fill In Both (交替): Masuho (ます穂) Non-Geiko Joruri Narrators - 浄瑠璃語り Takemoto Ayanosuke (竹本綾之助) - April 1st, 9th, 10th, 16th, 18th, and 20th Takemoto Tohsako (竹本土佐子) - April 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 24th, and 25th Takemoto Kyonosuke (竹本京之助) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and 27th Non-Geiko Joruri Shamisen - 浄瑠璃三味線 Tsurukawa Hirosuke (鶴澤寛輔) - April 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 12th, 13th, 20th, 24th 25th, 26th, and 27th Tsurukawa Tsukazu (鶴澤津賀寿) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd Toyokawa Hinafumi (豊澤雛文) - April 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Tsurukawa Tsukae ( 鶴澤津賀榮) - April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, and 22nd Notes About Scenes Scene 1: Okiuta (置歌) - Opening Scene The opening scene each year. It’s performed in front of a background painted to look like silver folding screens. This is reminiscent of the Inoue style’s roots in performances at the villas and castles of the nobility. Scene 2: Hatsu Ebisu Fuku Sasa Kubari (初恵美須福笹配) - Handing Out Lucky Bamboo at Hatsu Ebisu Hatsu Ebisu, which takes place every year on January 11th, features Shinto priests and shrine maidens who bless bamboo branches that are then purchased by the public for good luck in the new year. They can also purchase small amulets and decorations for the branch to make it even more lucky. This event is extremely popular as maiko from Gion Kobu and Miyagawa Cho actually hand out the bamboo to each person who purchases a branch, so it’s a unique chance to get close to real maiko. Scene 3: Hōjūji Dono Ima You Awase (法住寺殿今様合) - The Feudal Lord Appears at Hōjūji I really can’t find much information about this scene at all, so I’m not exactly sure what happens besides that there are shirabyoshi there. The shirabyoshi were female performers who entertained nobility, often dressed as men, and are said to be the precursors to geisha. The Shirabyoshi’s names translate to Spring Chrysanthemum (Harugiku) and Young Chrysanthemum (Wakagiku). The yūjo with them doesn’t specifically have a name, but rather a title; Otomae means “Of The Second Rank,” so we know that she’s not an oiran, but is pretty close. Scene 4: Shijogawara Okuni No Mai (四条河原阿国舞) - Okuni Dances On The Shijo Riverbed Okuni is the inventor of kabuki and “created” the style form when she danced on the dry riverbed of the Shijo River in 1603. Her unique style was then adopted by others and soon kabuki spread across the country. Okuni is a prominent figure in the dance world and a statue exists of her in Kyoto. Nagoya Sanzo was her lover and is said to have promoted her style of dance. He eventually went on to become a kabuki actor after the pair moved to Edo. The attendants in the story are members of their troupe. Their names mean Chrysanthemum (Kiku) and White Bush Clover (Shirahagi). Scene 5: Warashi Bechō Jajusse No Kotobuki (藁稭長者出世寿) - The Story of The Straw Man Millionaire This is an extremely old folk tale that’s managed to spread around the world and is now found in many cultures. The story begins with a man, who the story names as Chota, that prays to the goddess Kannon to escape poverty. She tells him to pick up the first thing that he sees after exiting the temple and then to travel with it west. The first item that he finds is a piece of straw, hence the title. As he travels he comes across an annoying horsefly, which he then ties to his straw. In the next town he comes across a mother, who’s named Chiyo in this account, whose baby can only be soothed by the buzzing of the fly. He exchanges his straw with the fly for three oranges and continues on his way. As he continues on he comes across a woman who’s severely dehydrated. He helps her by giving her the oranges and in return she gives him an expensive piece of silk cloth. Continuing on his journey he comes across a millionaire, who’s named Ottokenzō, who asks to trade his weak, and presumably near death, horse for the cloth, which Chota agrees to. Chota then spends some time nursing the sick horse back to health and then continues on his journey. While travelling he’s stopped by another millionaire, Tsumaaya in this case, who noticed the quality of his horse and invites him to stay at his villa. At the villa he is introduced to Tsumaaya’s daughter. It turns out that the daughter, whose name is Naokichi, is the same woman who Chota saved with the oranges. Tsumaaya sees this as a sign from the gods and suggests that Chota marry Naokichi. By marrying Naokichi Chota would marry into Tsumaaya’s house, which then makes Chota a millionaire. Scene 6: Katsura Rikyū Momiji Gari (桂離宮紅葉狩) - Viewing Maple Leaves at Katsura Imperial Villa Katsura Imperial Villa is considered the most important culturally important land outside of the imperial palace in Kyoto. The land was given to Prince Toshihito by Hideyoshi Toyotomi as a separation gift; Toshihito was adopted by Hideyoshi to be his heir but then ended up having a son of his own. The entire villa was built with parts of The Tale of Genji in mind and construction began in 1624. The villa and its splendid gardens were added onto by subsequent children of Toshihito and even became the residence for Emperor Go Mizunoo who had abdicated his throne. The gardens and the architecture at the villa are said to be among the best in Japan. Its many gardens contain a multitude of maple trees, whose colors in the fall are unparalleled. Scene 7: Gion Chaya No Yuki Geshiki (祇園茶屋雪景色) - The Snowy Landscape Around The Gion Ochaya Not too much is known about this scene, but it seems to be about maiko and geiko who frolic in the snow that has settled around the ochaya in Gion Kobu during the winter months. Scene 8: Daikakuji Sakura Kurabe (大覚寺桜比) - Comparing Cherry Blossoms at Daikakuji The final scene always sees the entire cast of the day admiring cherry blossoms at a famous site in Kyoto. This year they’ve chosen the very prestigious Daikakuji Temple, which is known for its tall pagoda that can be seen almost anywhere in Kyoto. This pagoda is also mentioned in various songs that maiko and geiko perform at ozashiki.
