Kamahige (The sickle and the beard)   鎌髭

The play

The very first version of "Kamahige" was staged for the first time 1719. Another version was staged in 1769, starring Ichikawa Danjûrô IV in the role of Taira no Kagekiyo (the one being shaved). Then, the official version was finally staged in 1774 with Ichikawa Ebizô III in the role of Tagekiyo . "Kamahige" was revived at the end of 19th century and the current version was staged in October 1910 to celebrate the shûmei (name-taking ceremony) of Ichikawa Danshirô II and his son Ichikawa Ennosuke II. It is now a play which is only staged for special occasions like shûmei or commemorative programs. 

This play is one of the Kagekiyo-mono, plays whose main characters are Taira no Kagekiyo, his lover Akoya, Hateyama Shigatada and Miyonoya Shirô Kunitoshi. The other Kagekiyo-mono included in the 18 Kabuki plays are  "Kan-U" "Kagekiyo" and "Gedatsu". All the Kagekiyo-mono take place at the end of the 12th century during the power struggle between the Taira family (Heike clan) and the Minamoto family (Genji clan). It became a full blown civil war which ended with the defeat of the Heike clan and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate in 1185. Kagekiyo is a warrior of the Heike clan and these plays tell his story and ultimately his defeat. 

Here Kagekiyo has disguised himself as a Buddhist pilgrim. His enemy Miho no Ya Shiro, also in disguise as the blacksmith Shirobei, offers to shave Kagekiyo’s beard with a sickle. He attempts to cut his throat, but the sickle is unable to make a mark on Kagekiyo’s impenetrable skin. 

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