映画『国宝』が、予想に反して大ヒット。実写版の興行成績が国内歴代二位になりました。
A three-hour film about the esoteric world of Kabuki is defying the odds at the Japanese box office, with tickets selling out at some cinemas.
※esoteric難解な、奥儀の
※defy the odds 不利な状況や予想を覆して成功する
※box office 切符売り場、the box office興行売上
A movie, “Kokuho,” a film depicting the life of a kabuki actor, has earned more than ¥11 billion, making it the second-highest-grossing domestic live-action film of all time, and the first to reach this milestone in over two decades.
※gross 収益を上げる、総計～儲ける
※live-action film 実写映画
※大ヒット映画＝blockbuster／box office hit
歌舞伎を簡単に説明すると・・・
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art that combines drama, dance, and music. It is renowned for its elaborate costumes and striking makeup. All roles are played exclusively by males.
人間国宝を簡単に説明すると・・・
Japan's ningen kokuhō (living national treasures) are artisans and performers who are recognized for mastery of their craft.
今をときめく、吉沢亮（立花喜久雄役）と横浜流星（大垣俊介役）が主演です。
The film stars heartthrobs Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama who portray longtime rivals and soulmates.
※heartthrob 心臓の動悸／憧れの的（歌手やスターなど）恋人
※portray ～の役を演じる
※soulmate 心の友（特に異性の）
ヤクザの孤児（立花喜久雄）が上方歌舞伎の跡取り（大垣俊介）と共に芸を磨く物語です。
The movie traces the life of a man, an orphan from a yakuza clan.
※orphan 孤児 ※clan 一族、一門、派 tribeより小規模
He is eventually adopted by a prominent family of Kamigata kabuki (kabuki in the Kansai region) and hones his skills with the family’s heir, who is the same age.
※hone one‘s skills 技術、腕、技を磨く
※heir 法定相続人、後継者、継承者
家族や役者の苦しみといった永遠のテーマで、日本人の琴線に触れるストーリーです。
The plot of “Kokuho” explores perennial themes of family and the grueling hardships of being an artist, set against the backdrop of the intense but dreamlike life of the Kabuki actor.
※perennial 繰り返して起こる、永久の、多年生の
※grueling 〔精神的・肉体的に〕つらい、過酷な
※hardship 困難、苦難
※against the backdrop of ～を背景に
The film explores something deeply rooted in Japanese culture and strikes a chord with many people in the country.
※strike a chord ①〔楽器で〕和音を奏でる ②〔人の心の〕琴線に触れる、共感を生む
➾hit/touch a raw/sensitive nerve 泣きどころに触れる
原作の小説『国宝』の筆者、吉田修一氏は、裏方として歌舞伎の現場を研究しつくしたとのことです。
The movie is based on Shuichi Yoshida's 2018 novel "Kokuho“. Yoshida worked as a stagehand for several years to learn the workings of Kabuki.
※stagehand 舞台係、裏方
※小道具《演劇》 stage prop ※prop↤properties
高齢者人気のイメージの歌舞伎ですが、映画をきっかけに興味を持つ人が増えるという波及効果も出ているということです。
Kabuki has often been stereotyped as an art form for the elderly, while younger generations gravitate toward modern entertainment such as boy bands, baseball games, and streaming.
※gravitate（引力・魅力あるものに）自然に引き付けられる
However, the ripple effect of the film’s success has sparked renewed interest in Kabuki among a wider audience.
※ripple effect 波紋効果、連鎖反応
