Kabuki actor Ainosuke Kataoka performed the dance “Ame no Gorõ (Gorõ in the Rain)” for the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival’s “Special Night Event at Kabukiza Theatre” on October 26.
 
In this ‘Nagauta’ dance (accompanied by classical Japanese music) Soga Gorõ, grasping a paper ‘Janome’ umbrella, experiences a series of events as he walks along the road to the red light district, holding a letter in his hand from a pleasure girl with whom he has a deep relationship. Ainosuke explained that “thinking there might be a lot of people from overseas, and a lot of people seeing kabuki for the first time, and I chose this one because it is classically kabuki, and, as the language in Kabuki are so difficult, because it can be understood visually.”
 
The performance contains many different aspects, like the sensual behavior of Gorõ as he yearns for his love far away, and dynamic actions. The audience clapped along and broke into applause during the scenes when the dancer held his a pose at critical moments. “I wondered whether the atmosphere might be different from normal, but the audience played along much better than I thought. The language might be a barrier, but you can get an audio guide in the Kabukiza theater, and the plot is not that difficult”, he said, approvingly.
 
Director Akira Kurosawa’s comedy THEY WHO STEP ON THE TIGER’S TAIL, based on the Kabuki play Kanjinchō and the Noh Ataka ,was also shown on new 35 mm print. Ainosuke also gave his seal of approval. “This is a very interesting film. Even people who have never seen kabuki before can enjoy this one.”
 
He also showed deep appreciation to the the festival, saying “as an actor I couldn’t ask for more, being allowed to dance as part of a collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival. I am a kabuki actor, so I will continue to devote myself to kabuki, but I would also like to try a drama or film, or other types of theater or a musical”, he said, showing still more enthusiasm.
 

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