{{Short description|Kabuki dance with lyrics written by Kawatake Mokuami}} {{Infobox play | name = Renjishi<br>連獅子 | image = Renjishi by Heisei Nakamura-za during the APEC Summit week.jpg | caption = Nakamura Shichinosuke II performing Renjishi in Yokohama, 2010 | writer = Kawatake Mokuami (lyrics)<br>Hanayagi Jusuke I (choreography) | chorus = | characters = | mute = | setting = | date of premiere = July 1872,<br> Murayama-za, Tokyo | place = Japan | original language = Japanese | series = | subject = | 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.<ref name="IV p40-43"/> A later version was created for one father and two lion cubs.<ref name="kabuki21"/>
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.<ref name="IV p40-43"/>
It is a popular dance in the kabuki repertoire that is often performed.<ref name="kabuki21"/>
== Characters == * Ukon - an actor * Sakon - another actor, younger * Rennen - a Nichiren buddhist monk on pilgrimage to Mount Seiryō * Hennen - a Pure Land buddhist monk on pilgrimage to Mount Seiryō * Spirit of the Parent Lion * Spirit of the Lion Cub * Stage assistants * Nagauta - musical ensemble
== Plot == "Renjishi" is a classical Kabuki play that tells the story of a lion dance performed by a father and son lion. The plot revolves around the relationship between the father lion, who is aging and weak, and his young, strong son. It's a symbolic representation of the passing of strength and legacy from one generation to another, showcasing themes of loyalty, family, and the cycle of life.
== Performances == thumb|upright|Ennosuke Ichikawa II in ''Renjishi'' The first performance of ''Renjishi'' happened at a private dance recital in May 1861 at the Nakamura-rō, a restaurant in the Ryōgoku are in Edo. The recital celebrated the name succession of the famous dance master Hanayagi Jusuke I (1821–1903) by his son Hanayagi Yoshijirō.<ref name="kabuki21"/> Father and son performed the original dance, with Jusuke's choreography and Kawatake Mokuami's lyrics. The performance took place in a very simple setting, with only a golden screen, and no costumes or makeup.<ref name="IV p40-43"/> This unadorned style of dance is called ''suodori''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kabuki21.com/glossaire_7.php#suodori |title=Suodori in ''Kabuki Glossary'' |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=Kabuki21 |access-date=2018-01-12 |quote=}}</ref>
The dance made its debut at the kabuki stage in July 1872 at the Murayama-za in Tokyo, as the fourth act for another play. Bandō Hikosaburō V played the role of the parent lion, and Sawamura Tosshō II the role of the cub lion.<ref name="kabuki21"/>
''Renjishi'' was staged at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo in July 2017, with Ichikawa Ebizō XI as the parent lion and Bandō Minosuke II as the cub.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kabuki21.com/juillet2017.php |title=July 2017 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=Kabuki21 |access-date=2018-01-04 |quote=}}</ref>
In September 2019, the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Udanji III and his son Ukon performed part of the ''Renjishi'' at the 2019 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony as the ''shishi'' of ''Renjishi'' were used as mascots for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/09/20/rugby/rugby-world-cup-kicks-off-tokyo/#.XYYS1VVKiUk |title=Rugby World Cup kicks off in Tokyo |first= Andrew |last= McKirdy |work=The Japan Times |date=20 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0006024481 |title=Rugby World Cup opens with 'awesome atmosphere' |work=The Japan News |date=20 September 2019 |agency=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kabuki-bito.jp/news/4556 |title=『連獅子』が世界へ、ラグビーワールドカップ日本大会公式マスコット「レンジー」発表 |work=Rugby World Cup }}</ref>
== Translation ==
The play was translated into English by Paul M. Griffith in ''Kabuki Plays on Stage IV: Restoration and Reform, 1872-1905'', edited by James R. Brandon and Samuel L. Leiter and published in 2003.<ref name="IV p40-43"/>
* ''Kabuki Plays on Stage IV: Restoration and Reform, 1872-1905''. (2003) University of Hawaii Press, {{ISBN|9780824825744}}.
== See also == * Shaguma
== External links == {{commons category|Renjishi}} *[https://www.kabuki21.com/renjishi.php Renjishi at Kabuki21.com]
== References == {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} {{reflist|2|refs= <ref name="kabuki21">{{cite web |url=https://www.kabuki21.com/renjishi.php |title=RENJISHI |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=kabuki21 |access-date=2018-01-04 |quote=}}</ref> <ref name="IV p40-43">''Kabuki Plays on Stage IV: Restoration and Reform, 1872-1905''. (2003) p. 40-43.</ref> }}
Category:1872 plays Category:Kabuki plays Category:Buddhist plays