Stage Scenery (Ōdōgu) ~Shouldering All Stage Art and Supporting the Actors~ | Asahi Shimbun Digital Magazine &[and]
This article spotlights the work of "Ōdōgu" (stage scenery), which manages all aspects of stage art and supports Kabuki actors.Summary
This article focuses on the work of "Ōdōgu" (stage scenery), which is responsible for all aspects of Kabuki stage art, supporting the actors. The Ōdōgu work at the Kabuki-za Theatre is handled by Kabuki-za Stage Co., Ltd., whose lineage traces back to the Hasegawa Ōdōgu established in the Edo period. Their work is divided into specialized departments such as the production section, art sections, design section, and the Kabuki-za section, which handles setting up and moving scenery during performances. In creating backdrop paintings, emphasis is placed not just on intricate detail, but on expression that captures the overall atmosphere from a distance and supports the actors' performances. Furthermore, during technical rehearsals like the "Dōgu Shirabe" (scenery inspection), they confirm the assembly and safety of the scenery based on blueprints. Especially in scenes like those in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's "Onna Koroshi Abura Jigoku" where characters are covered in oil, continuous evolution occurs to enhance stage effects and safety, such as incorporating special considerations for the flooring, while preserving tradition.
(Source：朝日新聞)