The evolution of Japanese folktale dramas: Utayomizaru (The Monkey Poet) by Budoza Theatrical Company

Abstract

This paper discusses the creation and performances of Utayomizaru (The Monkey Poet) a folktale drama by Budoza Theatrical Company. It was written by KAWAMURA Mitsuo, who founded Budoza in Yuda Town, Iwate prefecture, in 1950, and first performed in 1981. Utayomizaru was based on Saru no Yomekko (The Monkey Groom), and old local folktale from the Yuda area.

Kawamura adapted the original folktale, The Monkey Groom, a celebration of traditional community into The Monkey Poet, a drama that satirizes the collapse of modern day community. However, over time the original intent of the drama has been weakened as it was adapted into various formats such as musical plays and interpreted into other languages.

This paper focuses on the original intent of Utayomizaru, which used traditional styles of Yuda storytelling and old style Japanese theatre, Kagura. Utayomizaru is unique because it portrays a modern day story through combining traditional folklore performances and KINOSHITA Junji's post war nostalgic styles.