Global InformationRenjishi information
| Renjishi 連獅子 | |
|---|---|
 Nakamura Shichinosuke II performing Renjishi in Yokohama, 2010 | |
| Written by | Kawatake Mokuami (lyrics) Hanayagi Jusuke I (choreography) |
| Date premiered | July 1872, Murayama-za, Tokyo |
| Place premiered | Japan |
| Original language | Japanese |
| Genre | shosagoto |
Renjishi (連獅子), or Two Lions, is a kabuki dance with lyrics written by Kawatake Mokuami, choreography by Hanayagi Jusuke I and music by Kineya Shōjirō III and Kineya Katsusaburō II, first performed in 1872.
Originally staged for a private dance recital in 1861, it was later expanded and reused in July 1872 as the fourth act for another play at the Murayama-za in Tokyo. Renjishi continued to evolve, with two different sets of music being used (both still performed), and the comic interlude added in 1901.[1] A later version was created for one father and two lion cubs.[2]
One of many kabuki works based on the noh play Shakkyō (The Stone Bridge), in the last stages of Renjishi development as a kabuki dance it was brought closer back to the noh version. In particular, in the February 1901 performance at the Tokyo-za, Renjishi was turned into a matsubame mono (pine-board play), modifying the stage to replicate the noh stage's green pine tree background.[1]
It is a popular dance in the kabuki repertoire that is often performed.[2]
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