GOEMON
The Outlaw Ninja from Iga
A samurai performance show depicting Ishikawa Goemon, said to have been a runaway ninja from the Iga clan.
This show is a non-verbal sword-fighting performance without dialogue. It is an original show based on a true story, created by the samurai performers “KATANAYA ICHI“
About Ishikawa Goemon
Ishikawa Goemon is a legendary Japanese thief. Although his actual existence is not clear, it is said that he was born on August 24, 1558, and was roasted to death on October 8, 1594. He is known for his excellent poise and thievery skills. He was able to steal treasure from highly guarded mansions and castles, and his skills were feared and respected by other thieves. And his thefts had political intentions and social messages. He gained a reputation as a thief by stealing money and goods from bad people and distributing them to the poor.
There is a theory that Goemon Ishikawa was an outcast ninja of the Iga school of ninja. This is because the Iga-ryu ninja are skilled at intelligence gathering, infiltration, and assassination, and these skills match Goemon Ishikawa’s abilities as a thief. That theory adds even more mystique to his legend.
It is said that Goemon Ishikawa, a thief, was captured by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces and executed. He was boiled to death in an oil tea kettle at Rokujo Kawara in Kyoto. As an example, all of his relatives are also sentenced to capital punishment. This was an extremely cruel execution that served as a warning to society at the time.
After Goemon’s death, his story became even more widespread, and his actions and character were glorified in many works. He came to be portrayed as a rebel against social injustice and a hero who protects the weak.
He and his son were boiled alive in public after their failed assassination attempt on the Sengoku period warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His legend lives on in contemporary Japanese popular culture, often giving him greatly exaggerated ninja skills.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishikawa_Goemon
Story
Goemon Ishikawa and his younger sister, Sayo, witnessed their parents being slaughtered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces when they were children. Now, in the late 16th century, they seek revenge against Hideyoshi, the ruler who unified Japan under his control.
Trained in swordsmanship in a ninja village, Goemon and Sayo became thieves who defied Hideyoshi’s rule. They stole treasures from the wealthy under Hideyoshi’s control and distributed them to the common people. Goemon wields a ninja sword. The story begins on a rainy night and unfolds into an intense battle against Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his retainers. (20 minutes)
Music
Performance Schedule
2023
| Country | City | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Melbourne | May 21 | Japan Festival 2023 |
| Japan | Shinjyuku | May | Japanese Festival Special Stage |
| Italy | Padua | June 5 | |
| Spain | Barcelona | June 17–18 | MATSURI |
| Netherlands | Amstelveen | June 26 | Japan Festival Nederland |
| France | Tours | June 30–July 2 | Japan Tours Festival |
| Spain | Vigo | July 8–9 | Kokoro Japan Expo |
| France | Paris | July 13–16 | Japan Expo Paris |
| Croatia | Rab Island | July 26–27 | Rabska Fjera |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | August 1–10 | GAMERS8 |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana, Kočevje, Brda | September 13–16 | |
| Japan | Tsukishima | September | ICHIFES 4 |
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