Who Was the Tallest Rikishi in Japanese History?
On Jason’s All-Sumo YouTube channel, Jason wondered who might have been the tallest Japanese-native rikishi. My interest now piqued, down into the rabbit hole I dove.
Behind the Story of Blood and Tears — The End of Shogun Tokugawa’s Rule
This animation symbolizes the government changeover that followed the Boshin War. The first crest (3 leaves) belongs to Shogun Tokugawa, the subsequent crest (chrysanthemum) belongs to Crown Prince Mutsuhito who would later become Emperor Meiji.
Behind the Story of Blood and Tears — Tayuu and Uguisu Facial Cream
In Blood and Tears episode 4 (18JUN18), Usaburo, O-Hatsu and O-Bun meet a tayuu who is part of a traveling theatre group that offers a variety show of sorts, which might include kabuki theatre, acrobatics, swordplay, dancing, singing, comedy, storytelling, etc.
Made in Japan: Kanjinchō (The Subscription List)
I found a terrific video of a live kabuki performance of Kanjinchō 勧進帳 (The Subscription List), which is a favorite of yours truly. The play is listed among the 18 Famous Kabuki Plays (歌舞伎十八番) in the kabuki repertoire and still hugely popular to this day. The leading character is a fierce warrior named Benkei, regarded an exemplar…
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Behind the Story of Blood and Tears — The 47 Ronin
In episode 6 of Blood and Tears, Usaburo received the gift of a small hand towel decorated with a print of contemporary actor Ichikawa Yaozo III. The print depicts him as the lead character from the traditional kabuki play, Treasury of Loyal Retainers (忠臣蔵 Chûshingura).
Behind the Story of Blood and Tears — Usaburo’s Family Crest
In Blood and Tears episode 7 (09JUL), Usaburo gives O-Hatsu a small lacquered storage box, called inro, bearing his family crest.
