Shibaraku

Gongorô pauses on the hanamichi runway and delivers a powerful monologue (tsurane), in which he states in sonorous tones an account of his intentions, origins, and virtues. It is a heroic, muscially oriented declamation, filled with wordplay and intended to demonstrate the elocutionary skills of the actor. It was traditionally written by the actors themselves, although the version used in Shibaraku today was written for Ichikawa Danjurô IX in 1895. It is filled with Chinese words and nonsense expressions that give it a ritualistic feeling but make it difficult for modern Japanese to understand. When Shibaraku is performed as the first play of the new year, the ultimate purpose is to dispel evil, bring blessings, and welcome the new year.

In this image, the actor/Gongorô is provided with tea by a kôken to help sustain him through the tsurane (an example of Kabuki breaking the "fourth wall").

Description from Samuel Leiter, ed., New Kabuki Encyclopedia

Source: Kara Kabuki no Miryôku (Tankôsha, 1973) author: Toita Yasuji; photos: Yoshida Chiaki, #8