満月のリㇺセ | 阿寒湖アイヌシアター(イコㇿ)

About the performance

The theme of this performance is urespa mosir, an important Ainu philosophy that embraces diversity and can be understood as a place of mutual nurturing. The production team and the dancers of the Akanko Ainu Theater Ikor put a lot of thought into this performance, meeting often to exchange ideas. The Ainu feel a closeness to and a mutual respect with the kamuy. They also feel a closeness to what can’t be seen with the human eye and have always sung and danced to give thanks. In this performance, the dancers and Irenka, an Ezo red fox kamuy who travels back and forth between the realm of the deities and the earth, invite you into the world of the Ainu, a world full of kindness.
We offer onkami (a prayer showing gratitude) for the beginning of the day.
We offer onkami again for the end of the day.

Outline

Dancing Under a Full Moon
Discovering the kindness within moonlight

Since the creation of the universe, the Ainu have known this world as urespa mosir (a place of mutual nurturing). In other words, all things in this world, including people (Ainu), flora and fauna, and kamuy nurture and live in harmony with each other. One day, a curious and slightly mischievous Ezo red fox kamuy named Irenka set out on their usual journey to the earthly world (ainu mosir). They found the Ainu living with the blessings of nature, colored by the changes of the four seasons. That night, the Ainu were to perform a dance competition. Irenka was very curious about Ainu dance. The Ainu kindly invited Irenka to join them in a dance that would make time slip away. Dancing is not the only thing that brings joy to the Ainu. They also find joy in the vibrancy of life and the connections with each other. Having seen the spirit of urespa mosir, Irenka reluctantly returned to kamuy mosir (the realm of the deities). As a large full moon lit up the sky, the Ainu recognized it as the Ezo red fox kamuy and offered onkami (gratitude) to the sky.