The following is a direct except from the Miyako Odori programme
of 1958, from the private collection of Naomi
Graham-Diaz, ImmortalGeisha.com. This has been copy-typed verbatim,
along with scans, from the original programme by Naomi
Graham-Diaz.
To Kyoto, the City of Flower, Spring has come. The Miyako Odori,
the Cherry Dance, that embellishes the city in spring is presented
in eulogy of her beautiful landmarks scattered at various points
of the hills in the north, west and her southern neighbouring
city of Uji, each of whose individual beauties will be emphasized
in one of the four seasons.
1st Scene
Stage Setting: Traditional background of silver screens.
With the preclusive female chorus, the whole troupe of Geisha
girls with fans in their hands, which are decorated with weeping
cherry blossoms marches out from the two entrances of the right
and left extension stages to the main stage. They cry out in unison,
“Miyako Odori wa Yoiyasa”. (Lets start the Cherry
Dance.)
2nd Scene
The Golden Pavilion In Spring
Stage Setting: The Golden Pavilion by the Mirror
Lake.
A villa at the foot of North Hill built by the Shogun Ashikaga
Yoshimitsu was converted into a Buddhist temple of the Zen sect
after his death with the Great Muso Kokushi as the first chief
abbot. The temple was then named Rokuonji. The site was well chosen
at the most enchanting spot in the scenic North Hill. The Golden
Pavilion was built by a man-made pond named “Mirror Lake”.
For five hundred and tens of years, it was one of the leading
landmarks in Japan. Alas, it was burnt down a few years ago. Fortunately,
it was rebuilt soon after, and its 3-story glittering structure
boast of the glory of Kyoto to the visitors. On the beach of the
lake in which a rock named “Sleeping Night” and another
“Eight Seas” look as if they are islets floating on
the sea, plum blossoms are in full bloom among the evergreen pine
trees. A mass dance in front of the pavilion is performed to hail
the coming of spring.
3rd Scene
Uji In Late Spring
Stage Setting: 1 The Uji Bridge.
2. The Hall of Phoenix.
The Uji Bridge that spans the Uji River is said to be the oldest
one in Japan. Uji City is also noted for tea growing. On the stage,
maids are picking fresh tea leaves. There come a number of Maiko
from the Gion Gay District. They play a game of “sailing
fans” on the stream. Maiko as the name signifies a teen-age
girl dancer who captivates the heart of box sexes by her graceful
dance. Her “Parted Peach” coiffure, her gorgeous yet
tasty Kimono and her brocade waist sash whose knotted ends hang
low at her back are the traditional requirements of a dressed-up
Maiko, seen only in Gion District, Kyoto.
With angels’ dance above, the Hall of Phoenix suddenly appears.
This hall was constructed over nine hundred years ago to realize
the Buddhist paradise on the earth. Having gone through an overall
repair recently, the hall restored its classical original form
of the Heian period. Geisha girls perform a graceful dance with
the classical vocal accompaniment.
4th Scene
Katsura in Early Summer
Stage Setting: The Katsura Imperial Villa
The widely know Katsura Imperial Villa was built about three
hundred and tends of years ago for Prince Katsura as his villa.
The rock arrangement, tender moss, a large man-make lake; living
quarters, tea inns and waiting hut dotted along the lake are harmoniously
laid out to bring out the perfect Japanese villa. Above all, night
rain over the sand beach by an inn named “Pine Harp”,
and a stone lantern “Water Firefly” by a mountain
path that leads to a tea inn “Blossom Appreciation”
will deepen the visitor’s awareness of early summer. This
garden is tactfully described by a phrase of a few Chinese words
meaning “watching the restful lake, listen to harp played
by breeze goes through pines”. Onto the water surface of
the lake casted the light of the stone lantern “Water Firefly”
and the reflection looks like that of a lone firefly. And Firefly
Valley to the lake is noted for fireflies. Geisha girls en messe
perform the dance of firefly hunting, carrying firefly boxes and
bamboo branches to catch them.
5th Scene
Cool Breeze Over the Shirakawa River
Stage Setting: Daimonji Fire Work seen from the Shirakawa
River, Gion Gay District.
On the night of the 16th August, Kyoto observes Bon Service in
making the Daimonji Fire Work at the side of Mt. Daimonji to send
off the visiting spirits of our ancestors. Up to an early part
of Taisho Era (1912-1927), children used to play in streets of
the city on the night, singing “Yoi Satsusa, Sanoya”
which was a sort of refrain.
The Shirakawa River has its sources to the north of Mt. Taimonji
and runs along the foot of the East Hill to stream through Gion
Gay District and joins to the Canal to the north of tha Shijo
Biridge. Shinbashi, Tatsumi and Yamato are the names of bridgers
in Gion Gay District, that span the river. Gion Gay District along
the Shirakawa River is rich in the romantic atmosphere. Tea houses
along the north side of the river were pulled down during the
last war to make a fire break. Now a wide new road runs along
the strip where they stood once, and a poetical monument in honor
of Poet Yoshii Isamu stands there. These are made into the background
of the dance in this scene. Geisha girls and tea house servants
join to the dance.
6th Scene
Takao in Autumn Color
Stage Setting: Maple Foliage.
The noted place for maple foliage in Kyoto is at Tako. Beyond
Taka-O, there are Makino-O, Togano-O. They are collectively called
“O-trio”. In the Taka-O hill, there is the Jingoji
Temple from the days of the Great Buddhist Abbot Kobo Daishi.
This temple has a fine collection of objects of old art. Women
of Ume-ga-Hata Village in Taka-O from the olden days came down
to the city to peddle ladder, step-ladder and bench which are
carried on their heads. They are called Hata Maids. Their counterpart
is maid from the northern suburbs. Girls in the costume of Hata
maid mingle in the dance on this scene.
7th Scene
Gion Under Snow
Stage Setting: Guest Room in Tea House Gion Gay District.
It is a cold winter night. Outside the guest room on second
floor of the tea house, it is snowing heavily. Everything is covered
with silvery snow as far as the eyes reach. Inside the room, two
Geisha girls are sitting despondently. Because their hearts are
tormented with their passionate desire to have their men. Their
burning hearts may not only melt away cold snow but may generate
sparkles. Behind a screen, a young errand girl is closely watching
them. This is the story of the dance of this scene.
Inoue’s Kyo-Dance School was originated to entertain noblemen
and ladies in the Mikad’s court, but it was perfected after
long training and improvising in the guest room of teahouse. In
this scene, the typical dance performed in a guest room of a teahouse
in Kyoto will be presented.
8th Scene
Cherry Blossoms at the Heian Shrine
Stage Setting: The Main Hall seen from the Main Gate.
Of all the noted places for cherry blossoms in Kyoto, the
blossoms at the Heian Shrine are the typical ones. Before a pilgrim
to the Shrine, standing under a huge main gate named “Responding
Heaven”, a full view of the Main Hall flanked with the two
wings; named “Blue Dragon” in the left and “White
tiger” in the right spreads out. In front of the wings cherry
trees are in full bloom. The sight will bring back the ancient
capital at spring time.
The whole troupe of dancers gather in the courtyard of the shrine
to dance. The dancers of the previous scenes are with them, each
wearing the costume worn in the previous occasion. Then they are
divided into two groups and exit through the two extended stages.
The silver screens in the 1st scene and the last floral scene
are the traditional ones of the Miyako Odori.
