Hinoemata Kabuki YARUBEYA
桧枝岐歌舞伎 やるべえや
Abiko Wataru
Japan/76min./2011
In a small village deep in the mountains of Fukushima, there’s a Kabuki tradition called Hinoemata, which lasted for 260 years. To preserve the tradition, the younger generation learns how to perform. It’s not difficult to copy the movements, but the disciplines inherited from the older generations is hard to grasp for the junior high school students who took on the challenge. As training and practice ensue with difficulties, the students eventually learn much more than the movements; spiritual disciplines and teachings of ancient Japan which was carried on from generation to generation. The film climaxes in a moving ending. Abiko’s documentary feature film debut finished shooting in Fukushima right before the disaster struck. The crew sincerely hopes for the swift recovery.
Title in English | Hinoemata Kabuki YARUBEYA |
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Title in Original Language | 桧枝岐歌舞伎 やるべえや |
Director(s) | Abiko Wataru |
Director's Bio/Filmography | Born in Hokkaido in 1959, Abiko won various awards with the NHK program “A Story of Daphney and Elena” and other TV programs. Since 1998, he has been living in a forest and capturing nature. His films Tsuki no sho and Meguri meguru inochi no monogatari were both screened at Japan Wildlife Film Festival in 1999 and 2011. Abiko started making films in 2009. His credits include Mother Earth and Story of the Sakura Tree. |
Year of Completion | 2011 |
Nationality of the Film | Japan |
Running Time | 76 min. |
Aspect Ratio | Video: 16:9 |
Color | Color |
Screening Format | BD |
Shooting Locations | Hinoemata, Fukushima |
Shooting Dates/Periods | May 12, 2009〜April 10, 2011 |
Names of Characters | Hoshi Choichi (The leader of the Hanakoma Troupe) |
Language of Commentary and Dialogue | Japanese, |
Subtitles | English, |
Date of First Public Screening | 2011/10/8 |
Place of First Public Screening (Country) | Japan |
Date of First Public Screening in Japan | 2011/10/8 |
Previous Screenings at Other Film Festivals and Events | YIDFF2011, Shogai Gakushu Festival in Koma (Yamanashi), Monbetsu City Citizen's Hall (Hokkaido), Forum Fukushima, Taipei (Taiwan), Washington DC (US) and more. |
Staff Credits |
Script: Abiko Wataru Photography: Abiko Wataru, Minematsu Takahiro, MIyashita Yoichi Editing: Abiko Wataru Sound: Numajiri Kazuo, Motohashi Daisuke Music: Makioka Nami, Fujimura Yuriko Narration: Takahashi Haruki |
Producer | Naomi |
Distributor / Distribution Company | Miru International |
Official Website for the Film | http://yarubeya1.com/index.html |
Other Online Access to the film | https://www.facebook.com/wataru.abiko?sk=wall |
Screenings at the Past YIDFF Programs and Events | YIDFF 2011 |