Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese drama. Its unique conventions such as striking makeup, exaggerated gestures, gorgeous costumes and fantastic stories have been developed to fascinate the audience since the early 17th century. Kabuki is sophisticated and at the same time still lively entertainment today. Kabukiza Theater in Higashi-Ginza is the only theater in Japan, where Kabuki performances are held almost everyday (the same program for 25 days a month).
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| Complete View of Kabukiza Theater |
When passing in front of the façade, we feel like the theater itself radiates a festive atmosphere. Actually, the theater has a lot of devices to attract people. Let's take a look at the details of the building and devices.
Today's theater building is the fifth one rebuilt in 2013, succeeding to the style of the third one (designed by Shinichiro Okada, rebuilt in 1924, and burnt down by the air raid in 1945) and the fourth one (similar to the third one).
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| Azuchi-Momoyama-style Gable and its Crest |
The most distinctive part of the facade is the huge undulating gable, which evokes the magnificent style of Japanese castle in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1603). The big ridge-end tile expressing water is placed on the gable, praying for protection from fire. The entrance of the theater is under the gorgeous gable, which draws people's attention to the inside.
The pattern with a phoenix in a circle is the theater's crest, which came from the ancient pattern used on a treasure of Horyu-ji Temple. We can find the crest here and there such as on tiles, paper lanterns, and curtains. Did you notice the phoenix on the gold metalwork has a bell on the neck? It is said that a bell ("Suzu" in Japanese) is referred to the Japanese word "Suzu-nari" meaning "overflowing with spectators."
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| Signboard with Pictures |
The colorful pictures in a showcase depict scenes from the currently running play. They are painted by the 9th painter of the Torii school, which dates back to the end of the 17th century, and the painting style has been handed down from generation to generation for 300 years.
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| Left Banner and Right Banner |
The banner on the right shows the name of the performance such as the February performance, and the one on the left shows the name of the theater, "Kabukiza." The letters are written with the Kantei style of calligraphy, characterized by thick strokes and a round shape. Thick strokes make a letter with a little space, praying for a full house (no empty space in the theater), and the round shape means people are coming inside of the theater.
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| Sake Barrels |
The piled Sake barrels are given from a patron, which way of display has been a custom from the Edo period, giving a prosperous atmosphere. The Kanji letters in the center means "a full house."
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| Inari Shrine |
There is a small Inari shrine on the right, where actors and people involved pray the safety and success on the first and the last day of the performance.
Like these, full of auspicious things in Kabukiza Theater create a flamboyant atmosphere and attract people. Now you might be in the mood for watching Kabuki. Then, how about trying "single act ticket", which is a ticket valid only for the day of issue and for one act?
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| Explanation of Single Act Ticket |
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| Entrance for Single Act |
If you want to enjoy the feeling of a Kabuki actor, it would be nice to drop in the bustling "Kobiki-cho square" in the basement; A small section imitating a dressing room of a Kabuki actor has been newly appeared from January.
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| Shops in the Square |
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| Dressing Room |
by Nobuko
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