English Title: Sketches from the Life of Ryoma Sakamoto / The Classical Music ~I Love Chopin~
Japanese Title: 維新回天・竜馬伝！』~硬派・坂本竜馬III~ / ザ・クラシック ~I LOVE CHOPIN~
Romanized Title: Ishin Kaiten - Ryouma-den! ~Kouha - Sakamoto Ryouma III~ / Za Kurashikku ~I Love Chopin~

Troupe: Cosmos
Year: 2006-07
Performances: Takarazuka, 11/3 - 12/12; Tokyo, 1/2 - 2/12
Shinjin Kouen Performances: Grand Theater, 11/21; Tokyo Theater, 1/16

Sketches from the Life of Ryoma Sakamoto:

Author / Director: Ishida Masaya
Composer: Yoshida Yuuko, Nishimura Kouji, Terada Takio
Choreographer: Hanayagi Yoshijirou, Shou Sumire
Shinjin Kouen Director: Suzuki Kei

I Love Chopin:

Author / Director: Kusano Akira
Composer: Takahashi Kuni, Aoki Tomoko, Oota Takeshi
Choreographer: Hayama Kiyomi, Nakura Kayoko, Ueshima Yukio, Wakao Risa

Available on DVD: Yes (DVD release date 1/20/07) & VHS
DVD Scene/Music Cut: None

Role	Cast	Shinjin Kouen Cast
Ryoma Sakamoto (Adventurous samurai; escaped from the jurisdiction of his domain of Tosa)	Takashiro Kei	Sagiri Seina
Oryo (Stepdaughter of the owner of Teradaya, an inn for ship passengers in Fushimi, Kyoto)	Shijou Rui	Kazune Miou
Shintaro Nakaoka (Samurai who escaped from the jurisdiction of his domain of Tosa)	Yamato Yuuga	Hasumi Yuuya
Kaishu Katsu (Commissioner of the Shogun's navy)	Ritsu Tomomi	Yakumo Mika
Otose (Teradaya's landlady)	Kuni Natsuki	Ayuse Mito
Manjiro Nakahama (Interpreter of the shogunate; member of the navy)	Misato Maya	Tomoka Shuri
Takamori Saigo (High official of the Satsuma domain)	Kotobuki Tsukasa	Akatsuki Gou
Yoshinobu Tokugawa (The 15th Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate)	Ranju Tomu	Harukaze Misato
Hanpeita Takechi (Leader of Tosa group, which favors return of power to the emperor)	Yuumi Hiro	Houshou Dai
Kogoro Katsura (Retainer of the Choshu domain; later named Koin Kido)	Hokushou Kairi	Nagina Ruumi
Shinsaku Takasugi (Retainer of the Choshu domain; favors return of power to the emperor)	Toki Irisu	Asane Satsuto
Tomomi Iwakura (Court noble; favors return of power to the emperor)	Hatsune Mayo	Kashou Naoto
Ocho (Spy of the Satsuma domain; Saigo's mistress)	Miwa Asahi	Hanakage Arisu
Jutaro Chiba (Sword master of Chiba School of Swordsmanship)	Amou Tamaki	Houju Ichi
Sanako Chiba (Younger sister of Jutaro Chiba)	Kazune Miou	Sakihana An
Munemitsu Mutsu (Member of the navy; later named Yonosuke)	Nanaho Hikaru	Mimaki Sakyou
Sakutaro Nakajima (Member of the navy)	Houju Ichi	Tsukie Juma
Souji Okita (Commander of the 1st Shinsengumi unit)	Sagiri Seina	Nanami Hiroki
Toshizo Hijikata (Deputy leader of the Shinsengumi)	Yakumo Mika	Maou Akito
Matsuko (Geisha, Katsura's lover)	Otono Izumi	Fujisaki Eri
Ono (Takasugi's lover)	Hanakage Arisu	Chisuzu Mayu
Man of the Imperial Court	Suzuna Saya	Ayane Raira
Man of the Imperial Court	Ayazono Yuki	Himiya Sakura
Shinsengumi Soldier 1	Hasumi Yuuya	Souma Neo
Shinsengumi Soldier 2	Nagina Ruumi	Amaki Tonika
Western Woman (singer)	Mikaze Maira	Hamuro Chiari
Glover	Kazari Jin	Souma Neo
Newspaper man	Kazari Jin	Shizaki Hiroka
Ryoma's shadow	Sumiki Sayato	Anri Mau

Others:
Takahane Ukyou, Mikaze Maira, Natsu Hiromi, Suzu Haruki, Kazari Jin, Oomi Ako, Tenshou Yuuri, Jun Aira, Karin Moyuru, Harukaze Misato, Hanatsuyu Sumika, Maiki Ayumi, Shiramine Sayuri, Aihana Chisaki, Miyabi Ouka, Moeno Riria, Kanon Mai, Mikage Rin, Kotoha Sakurako, Kazahane Reia, Koumi Maito, Ayahane Maya, Amakaze Ibuki, Sakuma Takane, Hanasato Mana, Tenrei Mion, Ayase Akina, Sasara Eru, Sumiki Sayato, Maika Kurumi, Kana Kyouko*, Momochi Ito, Matsukaze Akira, Sumireno Rei, Amasaki Chihana, Yumeri Miko, Sahane Yuna, Chisa Reina

•   Kana Kyouko was absent from 11/19 onward. See "Other Information".

WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!

Late in the nineteenth century, Commodore Matthew Perry leads a squadron of black warships into the bay off the shogun's capital, forcing the opening of Japan and thus putting Japan into an uproar. The samurai mostly of the fiefs of southwest Japan are not satisfied with the policies of the shogunate government and are busily engaged in a movement to construct a new nation ruled by an Emperor.

Ryoma Sakamoto, who was born to a low-ranking samurai family in the Tosa domain, learns swordsmanship of the Hokusin Itto style at Chiba School in Edo (today's Tokyo). One day, Hanpeita Takechi, a leader of Tosa's royalists, calls Ryoma to a house in a red-light-district. Hanpeita asks Ryoma if he has become a follower of Kaishu Katsu, Commissioner of the shogun's warships who advocates the opening of the country. Ryoma admits that he is now Katsu's follower. Although he had once been a supporter of the principle of excluding foreigners, he now agrees to Katsu's progressive idea. He tells Hanpeita that Katsu has a great vision for the future of Japan. When Kogoro Katsura who is present at the meeting asks Ryoma if he is loyal to the shogunate, he replies that he is loyal to Japan.

Ryoma is expelled from the Chiba School on the grounds that he has become Katsu's follower. The sword master Jutaro Chiba tells Ryoma that he cannot keep a supporter of the opening of the country at his dojo. However, that isn't what he really means. Jutaro thinks in his heart that Ryoma should not remain a mere swordsman. Also he knows that his younger sister Sanako is in love with Ryoma and he wants her to give up on him.

Ryoma goes down southwest to Kobe and works as the principal of the naval institute, which the shogunate has established following Katsu's recommendation. Shintaro Nakaoka comes to the institute to see Ryoma. Shintaro is from the same domain as Ryoma and feels offended by him for becoming Katsu's follower. Shintaro presses Ryoma to clearly choose sides: pro-shogun or pro-emperor. Ryoma, then, explains to Shintaro about a great political reform scheme that can avoid bloodshed. Although first amazed at the scheme, Shintaro is gradually convinced of its excellence and in the end totally agrees with Ryoma.

Through an introduction of Katsu, Ryoma sees Takamori Saigo, a high official of the domain of Satsuma and suddenly suggests to Saigo that Satsuma should make a military alliance with the domain of Choshu. He insists on the necessity of the alliance maintaining that no domain would follow Satsuma if it should rise alone to overthrow the shogunate. He also says that Choshu is not an enemy of Japan although it is Satsuma's archenemy. Shintaro Nakaoka calls on Katsura in Choshu and persuades him that Choshu should join with Satsuma. Choshu badly needs arms in order to provide for an eventual attack by the shogunate. However, no group will sell arms to Choshu, which became a clear enemy of the shogunate after the incident at the Gate of Hamaguri in Kyoto. Shintaro tells Katsura that Ryoma's trading and shipping company, Kaientai, can buy arms in the name of Satsuma in Nagasaki and then sell them secretly to Choshu. Convinced that the powerful domain of Choshu, allied with another powerful domain of Satsuma, would result in a super power, Katsura favors the military alliance with Satsuma.

Oryo now in love with Ryoma never spends a day without worrying about him, while Ryoma works hard at the risk of his life in order to make his vision of the future of Japan come true. One day, Ryoma comes to Teradaya. She goes to his room with a haori (traditional Japanese half-coat) she has tailored with her own hands, along with her determination of telling him that she loves him. However, she notices the name of Sanako sewn on his hakama (traditional Japanese trousers). She throws the haori to him and runs out of his room. When she wakes up the next morning, he has already left for Nagasaki. She finds his note to her in which she reads that he loves her. She rushes out of the inn to catch the ship he is on board.

Ryoma runs his company Kaientai in Nagasaki. One day, he hears that Takechi ripped his belly open in compliance with the order of Yodo Yamanouchi, ex-lord of Tosa. Ryoma grieves for the number of lives likely to be lost before the birth of a new Japan. He decides to materialize the alliance between Tosa and Choshu as early as possible.

In an official residence of Satsuma in Kyoto, Katsura and Saigo are very much concerned about the honor of their respective domain, so they are reluctant to make the first approach about the alliance. Ryoma becomes annoyed. He tells Saigo that Katsura has come into Kyoto at the peril of his life as he belongs to Choshu, the domain regarded as enemy by all other domains as well as even the emperor. He begs with tears that Saigo should begin talk of the alliance. Saigo says that he sees the future of Japan in Ryoma's teardrop and proposes the alliance to Katsura. The Satsuma-Choshu Alliance is concluded.

Shortly afterward, the rumor that Satsuma allied with Choshu spreads through Japan. Katsu and his sympathizers are afraid that a government consisting of only Satsuma and Choshu might replace the shogunate keeping the same system if other domains should join the alliance. Katsu decides to let the shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa know of the scheme of Ryoma, who produced the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance. Ryoma sees Yoshinobu in the Castle of Osaka in company with Katsu. He tells Yoshinobu that he should restore the reins of government to the emperor so as to avoid a civil war. He also advises Yoshinobu that the shogun Tokugawa participate in the new form of government. Yoshinobu shows interest in Ryoma's scheme, which envisions a Japan to be ruled by neither the Satsuma-Choshu alliance nor by the Tokugawa family but under a new form of government.

At last, Ryoma sees a way to achievement of his scheme of constructing a new Japan. However, .....

---

Five men in the guise of butlers enter the stage one after another. They argue about what they each think of classical music.

Butler A ~ Ranju Tomu
Butlers ~ Yuumi Hiro, Hokushou Kairi, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru


Classical Hero and Classical Nobles dance together.

Classical Hero ~ Takashiro Kei
Classical Beauty ~ Shijou Rui
Classical Brave ~ Yamato Yuuga
Classical Noble A ~ Kotobuki Tsukasa, Ranju Tomu, Yuumi Hiro, Hokushou Kairi, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru, Sagiri Seina, Nagina Ruumi


Two butlers enter the stage and present the works of Chopin.

Butlers ~ Ranju Tomu, Hokushou Kairi


A young man plays with cute little spirits of poppies in the poppy field spreading over the stage.

Dreamer ~ Yamato Yuuga
Poppy Enchantress ~ Misato Maya
Poppy Spirits (Big) ~ Kotobuki Tsukasa, Yuumi Hiro, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru, Harukaze Misato, Houshou Dai
Poppy Spriits (Small) ~ Kazune Miou, Sakihana An, Hanakage Arisu, Ayase Akina, Momochi Ito, Sumireno Rei


A Ghost (Cassius) stands alone bathed in the bright moonlight. He sings cherishing the dear memory of the place where he was born and brought up. He looks back to his glorious youthful days.

Cassius (Ghost) ~ Takashiro Kei


The scene changes into Cassius's childhood.

Cassius (in life) ~ Takashiro Kei
Thomas ~ Ranju Tomu
Cassius (as a boy) ~ Sagiri Seina
Thomas (as a boy) ~ Nagina Ruumi


The moon shines bright. The Ghost (Cassius) reappears out of the well.

Cassius (Ghost) ~ Takashiro Kei


A nobleman's daughter and a nobleman are on their way to an evening party on a snowy night. They are engaged, but it seems that they do not get along very well.

Nobleman's daughter ~ Shijou Rui
Nobleman ~ Yamato Yuuga
Nobleman's daughter ~ Miwa Asahi


A butler wearing round spectacles is cleaning tableware while drinking in secrecy.

Butler wearing round spectacles ~ Takashiro Kei
Nobleman's daughter ~ Shijou Rui
Nobleman ~ Yamato Yuuga
Nobleman's daughter ~ Miwa Asahi
Evening Party Gentlemen A ~ Ranju Tomu, Yuumi Hiro, Hokushou Kairi, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru
Evening Party Lady A ~ Otono Izumi, Oomi Ako, Kazune Miou, Sakihana An, Hanakage Arisu


They all toast with glasses of wine. Gorgeous fireworks are displayed in the wintry night sky from which snow starts falling.

Duke ~ Takashiro Kei
Nobleman's daughter ~ Shijou Rui
Nobleman ~ Yamato Yuuga


Snow Singer (man) and Snow Singer (woman) sing under the falling snow. Classical ballet dancers in white tutus come on stage and dance an elegant classical ballet.

Snow Singer (man) ~ Hokushou Kairi
Snow Singer (woman) ~ Hanakage Arisu


An aged noblewoman and three butlers enter the stage, and comically sing fond thoughts of Chopin in life.

Aged Noblewoman ~ Shijou Rui
Aged Noblemen ~ Yuumi Hiro, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru


Chopin stands before a white piano in the middle of the stage under the starry sky. Destiny appears and seduces Chopin into the Empire of Death.

Frederic Chopin ~ Takashiro Kei
George Sand ~ Yamato Yuuga
Destiny ~ Ranju Tomu


Chopin stands by himself in the world beyond the starry sky drawn in a ceiling painting. Spirits of music are playing around him.

Chopin ~ Takashiro Kei
Spirit of Music (female) S ~ Shijou Rui
Spirit of Music (male) S ~ Yamato Yuuga


The epilogue begins as a classical singer comes on stage.

Classical Singer ~ Yamato Yuuga
Knight ~ Misato Maya


Knight-Queen and women in the guise of knights dance together.

Knight-Queen ~ Shijou Rui


The solemn and beautiful world of classical music rolls out in front of the grand staircase.

Mars ~ Takashiro Kei
Dancing Warrior A ~ Yamato Yuuga, Ranju Tomu


Precious Dancer (man) and Precious Dancer (woman) dance in duet.

Precious Dancer (man) ~ Takashiro Kei
Precious Dancer (woman) ~ Shijou Rui


Precious Singer sings alone.

Precious Singer ~ Takashiro Kei


All performers parade to the theme music.

Classical Star (man) S ~ Takashiro Kei
Classical Star (woman) S ~ Shijou Rui
Classical Star (man) A ~ Yamato Yuuga
Classical Dandy A ~ Ranju Tomu, Yuumi Hiro, Hokushou Kairi, Toki Irisu, Nanaho Hikaru
Classical Elegance A ~ Miwa Asahi, Hanakage Arisu
Classical Etoile ~ Kazune Miou

(All Other Performers)

• This was both the first Grand Theatre show and the sayonara show for top stars Takashiro Kei and Shijou Rui.
• The Tokyo run was also the final performance for Takahane Ukyou, Tenshou Yuuri, Jun Aira, Sakihana An and Shiramine Sayuri. Kana Kyouko retired between shows (05/07/07), making this her last show as well.

Takarazuka Precious: Sakakihara Kazuko's Takarazuka First Night & Event Revue article
ENAK Sumire Style Stage GRAPH


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Poster	VHS	DVD	Piano Sound CD	Theme Song CD	Live CD
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