Classic Hiroshima Kagura Oeyama Trilogy in English

A classic trilogy of exciting Hiroshima Kagura plays, complete with English subtitles, which were broadcast during Wednesday Night Kagura’s Covid-enforced hiatus.

The three plays that make up the Oeyama Trilogy are Modoribashi, Rashomon (the name of a gate to the ancient city of Kyoto made famous by Kurosawa’s classic film of the same name), and Oeyama.

The plays are set in the middle of Heian era (794-c.1185) in and around the ancient capital of Kyoto which is under the protection of Minamoto-no-Raiko and his loyal retainers. The city is besieged by demons who make forays from their layer Mt. Oeyama to the north. In classic kagura tradition, this situation will not stand and the demons must be dealt with. This is, of course, exactly what happens, but it’s a feat that takes three thrilling plays to accomplish.

The Oeyama plays all have a very spooky feel and feature plenty of the lightening-fast costume changes and elaborate fight scenes that Hiroshima Kagura is known for; plus severed limbs! The whole thing concludes with one of the biggest battle sequences in the kagura canon.

Modoribashi

Rashomon

Oeyama