Chushingura

Chushingura
『忠臣蔵』

Silent Film and Live Performance

Friday, December 13 at 7:30 pm—Followed by an artist Q&A

Playbill (PDF) →

One of the representative works of Shozo Makino, the “Father of Japanese Film,” and Matsunosuke Onoe, Japan’s first superstar, Chushingura adapts the classic tale of the 47 ronin who enact vengeance following the unjust death of their master. Makino, once the theater manager for Kyoto’s Senboza Theater, was said to have discovered Matsunosuke, a regional kabuki troupe leader known for his stage tricks. Rather than simply adapting the complicated narratives of kabuki plays, Makino would meld them with choreographed swordplay and heroic tales, becoming a pioneer of the kyugeki (old theater)—a classical period drama that would precede the now better-known jidaigeki (period drama). The film is patchwork of sorts—a continual “work-in-progress”—wherein newer Chushingura films starring Matsunosuke would include scenes from the previous releases, evolving with every release. This presentation primarily includes scenes from the 1910 production (said to be the first full-length version of the story in Japanese cinema), a print of Jitsuroku Chushingura held by Matsuda Film Productions, and a tinted 35mm print discovered by benshi Ichiro Kataoka in Kyoto.

A pre-performance lecture on benshi begins before each screening at 6:30 pm.

Dir. Shozo Makino, 1910-17, 90 min., DCP, b&w, silent with live benshi narration and English subtitles. With Matsunosuke Onoe, Ichinojo Kataoka, Kiraku Arashi.

Silent film with live benshi narration in Japanese with English subtitles.
(Seating: General Admission)

Part of the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series
September—December 2024

Save 20% when you purchase a ticket to any 3 programs in the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series (not including workshops). Offer only valid for tickets purchased in the same transaction.

Alongside the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series this fall, the gallery exhibition Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Japan’s puppetry theater, showcasing actual working puppets, props, instruments, costumes and more. Check out more details here.

Your ticket also includes complimentary, same-day admission for one person to Bunraku Backstage, on view at Japan Society Gallery through January 19, 2025. To view the exhibition please show your ticket/receipt to the Welcome Desk for free admission before the performance.

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Images: Chushingura © The National Film Archive of Japan; Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry Series: The Love Suicides at Sonezaki © Photo by Tomoko Ogawa.

The Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series is supported by The Jim Henson Foundation.

Screening materials for The Benshi Tradition and the Silver Screen: A Japanese Puppetry Spin-Off courtesy of the National Film Archive of Japan.

2024-25 Performing Arts Season Support

The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Additional, major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Program support is also generously provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Hisamitsu America, Inc.; Akiko Mikumo; Hiroko Onoyama; Richard and Momona Royce; Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II; Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura; Nancy and Joe Walker; Estate of Alan M. Suhonen; and Performing Arts Circle members.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.

Japan Society programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.