Kabuki at Meijiza

Meijiza

Meijiza is a theater near Nihonbashi Hamachō Station that has a rich history dating back to 1873. It is Tokyo’s oldest theater and celebrated 150 years in 2023. This month the kabuki show features the amazing Nakamura brothers, Kankuro and Shichinosuke. My dear friend who reignited my interest in kabuki affectionately calls the elder brother Kankuro-chan. Another Nakamura to put on your radar is Hashinosuke who is a graceful dancer.

Shichinosuke plays both male and female roles. In this month’s show, Osome no Nanayaku, he plays seven female roles sometimes changing costumes in about ten seconds. At times when he reappeared on stage you could hear a collective gasp from the full house.

I used the Japanese earphone system which informs the audience what is happening on stage. At the end of the show Shichinosuke changes characters on stage behind a Japanese paper umbrella in a matter of seconds. I’m blinking and rubbing my eyes wondering how that happened.

We were lucky to sit next to the hanamichi, a part of the stage that runs through the seats so we could see the actors up close. 

There are retail shops in the foyer and I was delighted to discover an historic tenugui cotton cloth shop that is in the area. I look forward to going back.

Bento during the intermission.

Meijiza 明治座

Chūō-ku, Nihonbashi Hamachō 2-31-1

https://www.meijiza.co.jp/

#foodsaketokyo #foodsakenihonbashi #kabuki #tokyo #theater #tokyotheater #japan #visitjapan #japantrip #meijiza #osomenonanayaku #onnagata #Nihonbashi #Hamacho #japanesearts #japaneseculture #歌舞伎 #日本橋 #明治座 #中村七之助 #中村勘九郎 #中村橋之助 #日本橋浜町 #tenugui #手拭い