Nagauta: Long Songs Worth Your Time

The sound of the wooden hyoshigi clacking is enough to signal a kabuki performance about to begin. Considering that it is not unusual for a show to go four hours long, it is little wonder that the music of kabuki is known as nagauta or "long song." Long though it may be, there is no better place to start if one wants to hear the widest variety of traditional Japanese instruments in a single form. In fact, off the top of my head, I can only name two--the biwa and the koto--that can't be found in a nagauta ensemble. Throw in the frequent tempo changes, the breakneck dance sequences, and the dramatic chanting of the chorus and you have a rich musical experience awaiting you.

As usual, I like to begin with the CDs in my collection before discussing emusic finds. I would also like to add the usual disclaimer that all external links are provided for the convenience of the reader and I derive no monetary benefits from their inclusion.

A scene from the Noh version of Dojoji

Masterpieces of Nagauta 長唄傑作集

This 2001 recording features excellent production values and a selection of pieces that clock in between seven and twenty minutes. The piece I'm most familiar with is "Dojoji," which is based on a Noh classic I saw performed in Sakura. Featuring the crossover star, Mansai Nomura, the only downside was that rain forced the performance indoors to the city gymnasium. "Dojoji" itself tells the remarkable story of a woman who turns into a serpent after her attentions toward a devout monk are spurned. Although the details vary in the kabuki adaptations, the themes of young love and jealousy remain.

Kanjincho 歌舞伎/勧進帳

Perhaps the most famous piece in the kabuki repertoire, "Kanjincho" depicts the most dramatic moment in Yoshitsune's escape from the clutches of his ungrateful brother (you can read more about Yoshitsune in my biwa post). I had the good fortune of seeing "Kanjincho" performed at the December Kaomise show at Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto before I knew much about Yoshitsune or his larger-than-life protector, the warrior monk Benkei. Benkei is the star of the performance, dancing in a powerful style fitting of a Japanese Hercules. Almost as impressive is the absolutely still pose which Yoshitsune must hold the duration of the dance, while still finding his legs in time to finish the scene.

Benkei & Yoshitsune grace souvenir boxes of sweets

The CD's release date is 1997, but when listening with headphones, the detectable sound of a record player's needle betrays the original recording date of 1967. That quibble aside, it still offers anthropological interest if one wants to compare the sound of nagauta from years ago to that of today. Of course, the chance to hear a complete sixty minute composition is a rare treat for anyone wishing to relive the experience of seeing kabuki live. While some might find the long dialogue breaks between musical passages dull, I enjoy hearing the cadence of the actors and narrators while trying to visualize the action of the play.

The Sounds of Kabuki

Don't let the cheap-looking cover deter you, this is a clean recording of two famous pieces from the kabuki repertoire, "The Lion Dance of Echigo Country" (Echigojishi), and "The Noble Pine" (Oimatsu). Of all the recordings discussed here, this one features the vocal performers at the front of the mix. Initially released in 1995, this album is an unfortunate bargain at emusic for 98 cents. I say unfortunate, because their per track pricing model does not reflect that the consumer is acquiring a full 40 minute album for a song (sorry, the pun was irresistible). In cases such as this, it would be fairer if emusic divided the run time by five, for example, and charged for 7 or 8 tracks depending on how they rounded the minutes. Even at this price, the album would retail for $5 less than it does on iTunes. The full story of Echigojishi is available here, courtesy of the International Shakuhachi Society.

Japanese Kabuki Nagauta Music (also available as Giappone: Nagauta)

I had an incredibly difficult time pinning down when this recording was made. The best I could do was a period in the sixties. The production sounds somewhat muted, but there is no detectable background hiss or needle noise as is heard in Kanjincho. Like Masterpieces of Nagauta, this album also features selections from "Dojoji." What makes this interpretation of interest is that a wooden flute is featured in the melodic passages instead of the shamisen. Having such a distinctive arrangement is enough to sustain listener interest. Full liner notes are available from Lyrichord here.

Nagauta Symphony

If you are looking for classic nagauta, this is one to avoid I'm afraid. The first piece blends nagauta and classical music and the last two are classical symphonic pieces. Not my cup of green tea, but it might appeal to you, so I included the album here.

If you are interested in reading more about the historical background of a selection of nagauta compositions, I highly recommend the following page from Columbia Music's site dedicated to traditional Japanese music. They also have a page about kabuki for your reading pleasure.

On a personal note, today's blog posting is on the 14th anniversary of the day I saw Kokusenya Kassen performed at Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo. It was my first time seeing a full length play by Ennosuke's troupe, but fortunately not the last. If you ever get the opportunity to see their brand of 'Super Kabuki,' leap at it, for it is the very definition of spectacle.

A selection of aragoto makeup styles