Bonsai Exhibition

We were lucky to enjoy another warm and sunny day at this year’s Bonsai Exhibition in Troon. Our group performed a selection of Japanese music with shamisen and koto. We had spent time preparing a range of pieces especially for the event including traditional songs and folk songs. It was great fun performing together and sharing the sound of traditional Japanese instruments with everyone who came along.

♪Suehirogari(長唄 末広狩)

The Nagauta song Suehirogari based on the Kyougen story.

Suehirogari(kyougen)
The plot

Taroukajya went on errands for his master.
One day his master asked him to get a "Suehirogari" from town that is made from good paper, has a strong pivot and a amusing painting on it. But Taroukajya didn't know that a "Suehirogari" was a fun so that he was conned into buying a old umbrella. The umbrella was made from good paper with strong ribs and he is able to play with it amusingly. He went straight back to his master but the master was really angry with Taroukajya because he had been conned and sold a fake. Taroukajya was in trouble.
Taroukajya started to dance and sing a song. Because the salesman had taught Taroukajya this song to put his master in a good mood. The amusing song and dance was a success so the master enjoyed dancing with Taroukajya. The master and Taroukajya danced together boisterously.

狂言 末広がり
あらすじ
主人(大名)の使いで都に「末広がり」を買いに行った太郎冠者。
主人の注文は、地紙が良くて、要がしっかりして、戯れ絵の描かれた末広がり。ところが末広がりが扇のことだと知らない太郎冠者は、都のすっぱ(詐欺師)にだまされて「紙が張ってあって、骨がしっかりして、柄で戯れることのできる」古傘を買ってしまう。早速主人の所へ帰るが、とんだ偽物を買わされた太郎冠者に主人は立腹。困った太郎冠者は、先ほどすっぱに教わった「主の機嫌が直る囃子物」を舞い謡う。
「傘をさすなら春日山、これも神の誓い(=紙の違い)とて、人が傘を差すなら、我も傘を差そうよ。げにもさなり、やようがりもそうよの......』太郎冠者の滑稽な舞にいつしか主人の機嫌も直り、太郎冠者と一緒になってにぎやかに舞を舞う。...