Primary-source writings and related research materials by and about Nureki Chimuo.
This archive brings together primary-source writings by and about Nureki Chimuo preserved through the Kinbaku Research Platform. Translations retain their original translator and editor credits.
220 writings · 4 sources
Archive writings
220 results
The Strange Human Cattle of Yapu
I had some acquaintance with Tako Hachiro, but as I wrote before, it wasn’t anything involving SM. But there was just a tiny bit. No, wait, maybe it wasn’t really SM after all. Anyway, I’ll write it down. At a small theater, more like a movie theater stage, under Mihara Bridge in Higashi Ginza, they…
Read translationNozaki Village was Cold
The year after defeat, in 1946 (Showa 21), during the New Year’s performances at the Tsurukame Theater, I stood on the same stage for the first time with my master, Ichikawa Fukunosuke. Though brief, I exchanged lines with my teacher. It was the scene set in Nozaki Village from the “New Version of t…
Read translationWandering and Scattered Charm
I finished the manuscript for “Nozaki Village Was Cold” and immediately faxed it to R-san. Soon after, her reply arrived. “Sensei, the ‘Brief Biography of Nagata Mikihiko’ section at the end of this manuscript is already included elsewhere. You’ve already written it in the ninety-third installment, …
Read translationThe Second Floor Where the Slut Dwells
While discussing the “Talking Theater” with R-san, this topic came up. “You previously wrote about this Shirahige Theater era under the pen name Fujimi Iku. It’s published in SM Select. It’s a good novel.” “Huh? I’d forgotten about that. Maybe I’ll give it a read.” I promptly asked Director Nakahara…
Read translationO-San’s Sorrow
R-san is truly a person I am deeply grateful for. She searched through past records on her computer and found information about Ichikawa Fukunosuke and Bando Takejaku. It was information I had never seen before. I’m always complaining about computers and cell phones, but when I think about how the i…
Read translationYotsugi Heiwa Theater
Regarding the scene “Shigure no Kotatsu,” from “The Love Suicide at Amijima,” performed by the Bando Takejaku troupe, I would like to elaborate a little further. In the online “Kabuki Actor Directory: Memorable Masters Edition” that R-san printed and sent me, it states about Ichikawa Fukunosuke: “In…
Read translationTaketsugu’s Compassion
The performance by the Bando Takejaku troupe at the Yotsugi Heiwa Theater, as noted in my tattered, sixty year old diary, was as follows: The first week, 1. The Mountain Maiden 2. Shigure no Kotatsu 3. Maruhashi Chuya: The Chase Act 2 1. Gonsaburo and Skueji 2. The King of Flowers at Hidaka River Th…
Read translationProud Actors
Several readers of “Talking Theater” have sent me very kind emails. Thank you very much. They have been a great encouragement. Among them was a question about the “small-scale theater” that persisted for several years after the war. To be honest, while answering that question, I find myself wanting …
Read translationIs it a Dream or a Play?
My letter of thanks to the person who, knowing my love of theater, graciously invites me every month to special seats at the Grand Kabuki, a person I am most grateful to, continues on and on. If I am a fan of Ichikawa Kamejiro, then does this person who sends me expensive special seat tickets count …
Read translationThree Sisters
Behind the Tsurukame Theater lay a vacant lot overgrown with tall weeds, filthy and sprawling across the entire area. When it rained, puddles formed everywhere, lingering and never quite drying out. It was a swamp-like vacant lot. Adjacent to this damp, gloomy lot, a two-story wooden apartment build…
Read translationEratta
Fukunosuke Fukunosuke Ichikawa (III) Real Name: Haruo Mizutori (formerly Haruo Asai) Stage Name: Naritaya Crest: Gourd and Paulowina Dates of Birth and Death: March 21, Meiji 37 (1904) - August 4, Heisei 2 (1990) Place of Birth: Daiboji-cho, Shima-no-uchi, Osaka Profile In his youth, he was a beauti…
Read translationKatsushika Tales of the Supernatural
Now, looking back on those days with a clear head, though whether one can truly be clear-headed about events from over sixty years ago is another matter, one simply cannot still hold onto the passion of that time. It seems to me that it was, after all, a mischievous act, almost a prank, intended to …
Read translationThe “Quality” of Sexual Pleasure
The stage at the Tsurukame Theater closes around nine o’clock at night. As soon as Master Fukunosuke returns to his dressing room, he removes his wig, takes off his costume, steps out into the hallway, and practically runs to the bathhouse. He doesn’t actually take a bath, he just removes his makeup…
Read translationTheater Company “Tobu” Day One
The “sibling roleplay,” or “adventure roleplay,” or “romance roleplay” between Tamayo Nishiki and myself continued for several months in this feverish, dreamlike state. Even if the theater people involved with the Tsurukame Theater find out about my actions like this, they’re not exactly “respectabl…
Read translationThe Pleasure of Shade
I wrote that the theater company “Tobu” is a distinguished troupe with a long history, established prestige, and considerable talent. This “Tobu” is recorded in the “Encyclopedia of Performing Arts,” published in 1953 by a reputable and established publishing house. I would like to list the name of …
Read translationI Die Before My Lord’s Horse
About half a year ago, no, perhaps even longer, I was approached about this project and have been preparing ever since. The time has finally come to begin writing “The World of Minomura Ko” (working title), co-authored by myself and Rutsu Nakahara This will be an original work of approximately 300 p…
Read translationA Liar is the Beginning of a Writer
“How are things going between Rakka-san and Nureki-san these days? I’m curious. The story between Rakka-san and Sensei is of great interest to me, so please do let me know.” I occasionally receive letters like this. Everyone knows I prefer handwritten letters sent by post, so almost all the letters …
Read translationLetter of Gratitude to My Teacher
To my Acchitei5 Master: I am writing in response to your kind letter. Thank you very much. Along with your letter, you also sent me the substantial explanatory pamphlet for the “Namiki Sosuke Exhibition” at the Waseda University Theater Museum, beautiful postcards featuring theatrical prints of the …
Read translationThe Prostitute Otoyo’s Poem
I occasionally send faxes to Rakka-san. (I still don’t have a cell phone.) Though I’m technologically challenged, I can manage to use the phone and the fax machine attached to it. My pleasurable relationship with Rakka-san isn’t just about locking ourselves in a love hotel room and doing things. (Of…
Read translationSorrows I Cannot Speak Of
After sharing my poetry (or something like it), I unexpectedly received such high praise that I got carried away and decided to write here again. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” I jot down words that come to mind on scraps of paper lying around, intending to revise them later, and stuff them int…
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