“It’s gotta be Fujimusume!”—I still say it out loud every time I remember that day. I traveled all the way to Kyoto’s Shunjūza to see Danko perform, and in the end the one who stole my heart was Danko as the spirit of the wisteria. Another wonderful day, as always.
What is Shinshō Shunjūkai?
Shinshō Shunjūkai is a performance series created as a training stage for Ichikawa Danko. For this second edition, Danko took on every single role for the first time—an ambitious lineup, and an absolute treat for those of us watching.
The program was a triple bill: the suodori dance “Tanemaki Sanbasō,” “Fujimusume” (The Wisteria Maiden), plus “Ryūsei” with its chūnori flying sequence. A special video screening was included too, so the whole program felt devoted entirely to Danko.
The venue, Shunjūza, sits inside the current Kyoto University of the Arts. It was actually my first time visiting, so I was a little nervous just finding my way there. Looking up at the auditorium, rows of red lanterns hung overhead, and that alone got me a bit giddy.
Opening with suodori
First up was the suodori dance “Tanemaki Sanbasō.” Suodori (a form performed without costume or mask, in formal montsuki and hakama, showing the essence of the dance itself) is something you rarely get to see in a regular kabuki program, so it felt fresh and lovely.
Danko danced Sanbaso. Kanjuro Fujima appeared as Chitose. My eyes were busy because I wanted to see them both. As a Danko fan, I mostly watched Danko.
It really is Fujimusume!
And then, Fujimusume.
Danko’s movements, expressions—everything. That adorable, girlish face had me gazing the entire time.
Though—Danko’s metabolism being what it is, there was a serious amount of sweat (lol). That gap from the delicate wisteria spirit to the sweat pouring down… that, too, is the reality only a live stage can give you. A scene only Danko could deliver, I thought to myself (lol).
Dazzling “Ryūsei,” straight through to the aerial flight
Last was “Ryūsei.” This one was simply dazzling—it raced through, all the way to the chūnori flight, with no time to catch your breath.
A complete turn from the quiet grace of Fujimusume: Danko took to the air on sheer momentum. Before I knew it, I was completely swept up.
The venue was a festival, too
Danko panels were dotted all around the venue. Did I manage to find them all, I wonder… I didn’t get to walk through every corner of the theater, so I’m sure I missed a few
The oshiguma display (oshiguma = a print of an actor’s kumadori makeup, taken onto cloth or paper) was lovely, too, and I found myself lingering in front of it.
As for goods like acrylic stands—sold out, couldn’t get a thing… (I did safely snag them online later!). The lottery for a signed tenugui hand towel? Missed it by a hair. So disappointing! Somehow an exquisitely narrow miss (lol). My luck running true to form.
Wrapping up
Before heading out I was a fidgety, restless mess (lol). Afterward, I gazed at the one booklet I’d managed to buy that day, soaking in the afterglow all by myself. I’d honestly expected to bring an acrylic stand or two home, so I was a little wistful about that.
The charm of Fujimusume, the rush of Ryūsei—all of it together made for a luxurious day filled with all things Danko
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