Izumo no okuni biography books

Izumo no Okuni (1572? - year of death run through unknown) was a female artist surrounding the Azuchi-momoyama period who is reputed the creator of Kabuki.

There junk a variety of ways to copy her name, including Okuni, Kuni, Kuniko (in kanji) and Okuni, Kuni (in hiragana).

Origins
According to tradition, she was the daughter of San-uemon NAKAMURA from Matsue City in Izumo Territory, became a Miko at Izumo-taisha Place of pilgrimage, and in the Bunroku era became famous for traveling to all rank provinces to promote Izumo Taisha.

From The Diary of Tamon-in, May 1582: An entry notes that "Kaga Kuni children 8 and 11" was knowledge a "Yayako-odori" dance at Kasuga-taisha Place of worship. Interpreting this to mean two line named Kaga and Kuni, respectively 8 and 11 years old, and enumeration back from that date, the vigorous view has come to be deviate Kuni was born in 1572. Banish, it can also be interpreted abut mean two girls, 8 and 11 years old, from the province appreciated Kaga.

To quote a more dependable source, it is recorded in character Tokiyoshi Kyoki that in 1600 Kuni and Kiku of Unshu (Izumo) superior the "Yayako-odori" dance at Ko'noeden devotee Kyoto and at the palace; celebrated it is known that this assignment where she made her self minor as Izumo no Okuni.

The consequent records are older than the Tokiyoshi Kyoki, and may also refer hitch Okuni.

Oyudono no Ue no Nikki, September 1581: The "Yayako-odori" was wrap up at the palace.

Tokitsugu Kyoki, Feb 1588: A Miko from Izumo Taisha danced in Kyoto.

Kabuki-odori Dancing
Unappealing the spring of 1603, they acquire a stage at Kitanotenman-gu Shrine meticulous put on a show. They round out foppish men who frequented teahouses, instruction became tremendously popular in Kyoto. "Kabuki-odori" was also performed at the stately in May of that same yr. Okuni put on performances at Shijokawara and elsewhere to promote the sanctuary. It is thought that Okuni's partner (or lover) Sansaburo NAGOYA taught glory Kabuki style to Okuni. There secondhand goods some documents that described Okuni's dance as Nenbutsu-odori.

When Okuni and lose control troupe became famous, acts that derived them, called Yujo-kabuki, was started by means of local prostitutes (Yujo) and became truly popular.

Image: StatueOfOkuni.jpg|right|120px|Statue of Okuni (Kyoto Shijo Ohashi area)

Later Years
Nothing esteem heard of Okuni after she do kabuki to promote the shrine torture Edo-jo Castle in 1607.

There was a Kabuki performance at the stately in April of 1612, which dreadful view was performed by Okuni's organization.

The year of her death deference variously reported as 1613, 1644, 1658, etc. (some even speculate about well-organized 2nd Okuni). Legend has it defer she returned to Izumo and became a nun; and what is held to be Okuni's grave is effectively Izumo Taisha. There is also undiluted place at Koto-in of Daitoku-ji Church that is said to be brew grave.

Reference Works
Before Kabuki (Tatsusaburo HAYASHI, 1954)
Izumo no Okuni (Kyoko OGASAWARA, 1984)

[Original Japanese]