We have been in Japan since Sunday night and we have seen a few of the sights the residents tend to frequent, but I had not yet been to anything traditional Japanese. That was all about to change. While Travis (Controller) was in a meeting with the President of the Japan office, Ashley (Auditor) and myself formulated a plan to go watch Kabuki Theater. We (by we I mean Ashley) found a theater on Google and also found the address as well as how to get there from our Hotel via the subway. We were a little worried about not making it on time, but the subway ride was a bit quicker than we had anticipated and we made it to the theater with a few minutes to spare. The tickets we purchased were for one act only, which I think was just the warm-up act, rather than the full 4 1/2 hour show. The tickets were also standing room only so we had the opportunity to stand at the back of the theater and watch the hour-long production. They opened the curtain and I was impressed with the vivid colors, but was surprised by the lack of stage scenery. It was very, very simple. They had an orchestra on stage and as near as I could figure they must have also had a simple orchestra in an orchestra pit at the bottom of the theater that was out of my view.
The show was very nice, although it did get long with so many traditional dances and me not thinking I needed to buy the English Translation. Additionally, my feet did get tired of standing and watching the show. By the time the show was over, I was ready for it to be done. I am glad to say that I have now seen Kabuki Theater, but feel that I probably don't need to see it again.
The theater I went to is shown in this post and below is the synopsis of the play I went to see.
MOMIJIGARI (The Demoness at the Autumn Foliage Party)One of the
most beautiful and spectacular dance plays in the kabuki repertory. A great
general (Hashinosuke) is traveling through the mountains while the autumn leaves
are at their height. Mysteriously, a princess (Kantaro) invites him to join a
party and all drink and celebrate. In fact, this princess is a demon and is
waiting for the moment when the general will fall asleep and she can attack. She
lulls them to sleep with a spectacular series of dances.
2 comments:
You lasted much longer than I would have.
How fun to just say you have done it! Although I bet if you had a chair and a translation you would have really enjoyed it and wanted more?!
We miss you, so come home now ok!!!
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