Gifu
Culture

Dec 28, 2015 - 1 min read

Mino Kabuki Museum Aioiza

A free performance in Hiyoshicho

Community writer

Performance using Japanese umbrellas.

Performance using Sensu fans.

Couldn't believe these are all male artists.

Viewers were seated on the three sides surrounding the small stage

They are using many items throughout their performance.

People started throwing money wrapped in tissues on to the stage.

The performance continues.

Tissues bags are still flying over the artists.

Frog in the Kabuki performance

Frog in the Kabuki performance

The stage is filled with tissue wrapped money

Artist performing kabuki

Performance using Japanese umbrellas.

The performance is about to end.

Kabuki is an example of Japan's traditional dramatic arts. At Hiyoshicho, Mizunami, a small city in Gifu Prefecture, the amateur version is being preserved for the next generation. Even though watching professional kabuki in a theater is expensive, this one was free. In Kabuki, all male and female roles were played by men, though these days you may have some women playing in the amateur or rural version. The artists used many items for their performance, and the props themselves are works of art. Kabuki story lines are often based on the feudal system of ancient Japan. As this performance was free, people were throwing money wrapped in tissue papers on to the stage. By the end of the performance, the entire stage was filled with tissues like small bits of confetti.

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By Preethu

Community writer

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina 8 years ago

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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Corinna David

Corinna David 8 years ago

I am interested to watch Kabuki.. and you said this was free? Is it always free there or is this a special event?

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