Blind masseuses in Edo-era Japan: "Sleeping Fires" at Wiener Festwochen

The Wiener Festwochen is showcasing "Sleeping Fires," a new theatrical work by Japanese author and director Kurō Tanino. The play delves into the Edo period of Japan, focusing on two blind masseuses and their unique ways of experiencing and understanding the world. Tanino's narrative centers on Iku, a blind woman living in a rural hut north of Edo (present-day Tokyo) with her husband. Her skill in therapeutic massage is renowned, attributed to her heightened ability to perceive with her hands.

Although the story evokes an ancient Japanese folk tale, "Sleeping Fires" is a contemporary creation. It premiered in Hong Kong in March of this year. The production at the Odeon theater in Vienna presents a fairy-tale-like revenge story, prompting audiences to consider the diverse ways individuals perceive, utilize, and evaluate their surroundings. The play specifically draws attention to the traditional role of blind individuals in Japan as practitioners of massage, emphasizing their tactile sensitivity.