Azuma Odori - 1949

front cover	back cover

The following is a direct except from the Azuma Odori programme of 1949, 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.

AZUMA ODORI
DANCE BY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND GORGEOUS
TOKYO SHIMBASHI GEISHA GIRLS
From April 1st to 14th 1949
(On and after the 8th Programs will be reversed)

Part 1 (Opens at 11 a.m.)

I Niwaka-Jishi
Accompanied by Nagauta recitors.
A gay dance which prevailed in Edo Era at Yoshiwara to show a lively scene at a festival with the lion’s head.

II Ejima Ikushima
Accompanied by Kiyomoto recitors and wrirten by HASEGAWA Shigure
Ikushima, a kabuki actor, was exiled to Hachijo Island accused of crime of fallimg in love with a Lady Ejima who was in service at the Palace. He lived miserably with the imagination of his sweetheart is beside him and was getting mad from loneliness on the deserted island.

III Shinobi Yorukoi Wa Kusemono
Accompanied by Tokiwazu Recitors.
Ohya Taro Mitsukuni had stolen into the Soma Palace of Tairano-Masakado to steal some document which was requested by his lord Yorinobu of Minamoto. Princess Takiyasha of the Palace tried to disturb him with her feigned love dressing herself up as a prostitute Kisaragi. This was in vain for Mitsu-kuni was so dutiful and clever that he could see through her trick.

IV Shiki Notanoshimi
Accompanied by both of Kiyomoto and Utazawa recitors.
This is one of the new dances to the accompaniment of Utazawa and Kiyomoto music which represent the various gay lives of the citizens following the changes of the four seasons in old Edo.

Part II (Opens at 3 p.m)

I Suisen Tanzen
Accompanied by Nagauta recitors.
Beautiful dance by some pretty girls dressed up as young handsome samurais in smart quilted dressing-gown memory of the old pleasant days.

II Meoto Soga
Accomoanied by Tokiwazu recitors and written by OKA Onitaro.
It happened after the death of the Soga brothers. Ohiso-no Tora who had entered Buddist priesthood, visited the grave of the brothers at the foot of Mt. Fuji and had a happy time for a while in her reminiscence of her sweetheart Goro.

Then a gorgeous scene develops on the stage. She appears as a young beautiful prostitute with her friend and has a happy time with her dear lover Goro.

III Michiyuki Hatsune No Tabi
Accompanied by Kiyomoto recitors.
As Yoshitsune of Minamoto had taken his refuge in Yoshino mountains. His sweetheart Shizuka-gozen tried to go after him with one of his faithful men, named Tadanobu. On her way to Yoshino some mysterious thing happened when she played her tsuzumi which was given by Yoshitsune.

IV Meiji Fuzoku
Accompanied by Yamato-gaku recitors.
A gorgeous show of life in the Meiji Era. It is filled with famous popular stories and music.

Insert included with program:

The National Sojourners
Tokyo Chapter 267

Presents for your entertainment a selection of Geisha Dances and Songs in the centuries old and truly Japanese style.

These dances and songs are bought to you through the courtesy of the Shimbashi Geisha Girls Association, who are contributing their time and talents in an effort to show you some part of the oldest and most popular entertainment of old Japan.

The costumes worn by these girls are exactly as those worn in the Era represented and are very expensive. The beauty of the costumes alone make the show worth while, but in an effort to help your understanding and enjoyment of this centuries old entertainment the following brief outline of each part is given.

Part 1. Fireworks Scene, Edo Era

Symboling the ancient Japanese festival here each summer when the banks of the Sumida River are packed with celebrants and geisha in full dress hold forth the banks and on boats in the river with their dances and songs. Probably the greatest holiday the Japanese celebrate.

Part 2. Kyoto “Maiko” Styles.

Young geisha in Kyoto are called “Maiko”. They wore gorgeous embroidered “obi” and sign lacquered “geta” one of the most popular attractions in the ancient capital of Japan.

Part 3. Umbrella

Comic Dance

Part 4. Takino Shiraito

Concerning a beautiful magician who fell into financial difficulties to send her lover through school. She finally kills the wicked money lender and appears before the judge, who is her lover, he being appointed judge after his graduation.

Part 5 Festival

Japan is full of shrines and each shrine usually has a gay festival each year. This is an example of the dances and songs heald during those celebrations.

Part 6. Finale

All entertainers appear on stage with colourful costumes for last appearance.

Sheet Two:

Entertainment by
Shimbashi Geisha Girls Association

Title of Play	Artistes
1. Fire-works Scene, Edo Era.	Chiyono Sayoko Yaeharu Fumi Some Jitsuko Yumi
2. Kyoto “Maiko Styles” (Kyoto young geisha styles)	Marika Tomimatsu Hisagiku
3. Umbrella	Tamachiyo Chizuko
4. Takino Shiraito	Somefuku Taro Someya Reiko Tokiko
5. Festival	Marichiyo Yachiyo Kokuni Reiko Kiyo Tokiko Yasuko Hamagiku Maruryu
6. Finale	Song by: Kotsuru Mitsumaru Tsukiyo Kaneha Ekiko Samisen (Music) by Goromaru Kotoki Someha Sonozuru Tsuruyo

<< Return to Tokyo Odori Menu


The text above is a direct except from the English language section from the Azuma Odori programme of 1949, 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.