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| Ichikawa Ennosuke IV as Priest Nichiren. Photo: Shinoyama Kishin. |
The August issue of ENGEKIKAI, kabuki’s monthly magazine of record, features a cover photo of Ichikawa Ennosuke IV as the priest Renchō (later Nichiren) in the new play Nichiren—Ai wo Shiru Hito (Nichiren—A Priest Who Knows Love). It was produced on part 3 of the June 2021 Kabuki-za program, celebrating the 800th birthday of Nichiren, one of Japanese Buddhism’s most important figures. The Kabuki-za’s online synopsis says:
This play is set in
the 13th century, a time of great turbulence caused by raging wars, a series of
natural disasters, starvation and epidemics. In the depths of night on Mount
Hiei, ascetic monks gather in front of the main temple hall. Inside, Renchō has
remained confined for ten days without eating or drinking, and now his voice
chanting the sutras can no longer be heard. In contrast to the other monks who
are repulsed by Renchō’s uncompromising attitude, Jōben is moved by Renchō’s
passion and is now concerned about him. Jōben breaks down the door to enter the
hall. Please look forward to the kabuki production commemorating the 800th
anniversary of Saint Nichiren’s birth. It will shine with the light of hope and
bring the power of his thoughts into your hearts.
The cover provides a partial list of the issue’s contents, which offers numerous photos and reviews of this past June's productions. Most prominent of the items on the cover is a section devoted to the late Osaka-based kabuki actor, Kataoka
Hidetarō, a Living National Treasure, who died this year at 79. Other
features include interviews with actors Kataoka Nizaemon, Ichikawa Chūsha, and
pieces about actors Nakamura Tanenosuke and Ichikawa Emisaburō. Finally, the issue
contains the latest in the series by star Matsumoto Kōshirō, “Kōshirō’s
Thousand and One Nights.”
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