KUNIMOTO TAKEHARU - a wonderful world -

Glossary


Chushingura
Based on a true story of an event that began on March 14, 1701 when young Lord Asano Naganori of Ako is humiliated by the shogun's retainer, lord Kira Kouzukenosuke. Against the rule that no sword is to be drawn in the Edo castle, Asano is overpowered by his fury, draws his sword and slights Kira's forehead. The same night, Asano is permitted to commit the harakiri suicide, the only honourable way to repair his act. Asano family possessions are confiscated, and the Ako samurai lost their employment. Oishi Kuranosuke, Asano's chief adviser, gathers faithful samurai and plots to avenge his lord's death. It reaches climax on December 14, 1702 when the 47 samurai take lord Kira's head. It all ends on February 14, 1703 when the decision is delivered to allow the 47 samurai to commit harakiri suicide to honorably conclude their deed.

These events are told in an extensive story which can be divided into three parts; the initial event leading to the harakiri of Lord Asano, followed by the stories of each of the 47 samurai while the plot thickens and lastly the revenge and the final harakiri. The story is never told in its entirety. It is usually composed of the initial and the ending event with selection of stories in between.

Miyamoto Amon heard the story of the initial event with the scene of humiliation delivered in rock and roll and the farewell scene before the harakiri delivered in ballad. Kunimoto Takeharu later composed the ending event in funk. He has taken upon himself to make it his lifework to fill the stories in between.

Engei
It is a genre of traditional-style stage entertainment which includes solo storytelling (rakugo, koudan, roukyoku) interspersed by comedy, juggling, magic or papercutting.

Fushi
The singing part of the story.

Hikigatari
To play a stringed instrument and tell stories.

Koudan
A form of traditional storytelling that often deals with subjets of human nature and morality.

Rakugo
A form of traditional storytelling that is by far the most popular.

Roukyoku
A form of traditional storytelling that is the most recently developed with a history of about 150 years. The story is told on a background of shamisen music.

Shamisen
A three-stringed instrument.

Tanka
The narrative delivery of the story.

Yose
Venue where engei entertainment is performed.

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