NHK's program "Heroes' Choices," which spotlights heroes who made decisions that dramatically changed history, will air "Tracking Izumo no Okuni ~The Original Entertainment Superstar~" on NHK BS at 9 PM on June 22nd. The program will delve into the true story of Izumo no Okuni, the mysterious woman who started the "Kabuki dance" in Kyoto 400 years ago and became immensely popular.
Izumo no Okuni, a figure featured in textbooks as the founder of Kabuki, remains shrouded in mystery due to the scarcity of contemporary records. What exactly was the "Kabuki dance" that Okuni started, and what was the secret to its popularity that captivated everyone from the imperial court to the common people...?
Who exactly was Okuni? Analysis of screen paintings depicting Okuni that remain in various locations, along with advancements in research in the Izumo region, believed to be her birthplace, are gradually revealing her true identity. With Kabuki actor Ichitaro Nakamura and others as guests, we will explore the truth about Okuni.
