Free
(Admission will be charged only for performances at the Tokyo Kagurazaka Association/”Kenban”.)

Venue; Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji
Time schedule; (1) 12:45 – 14:10 (2) 14:30 – 15:55

Performers;
Yushimatenjin Shiraumetaiko Hozonkai
Anmitsu
Chikugenbayashi
Daikagura Kyokugei Kyoukai

Venue; Tokyo kagurazaka Association/”Kenban”
Time schedule; (1) 13:00 – 14:00 (2) 14:30 – 15:30

Program;

1. Greetings from Natsue-san: Chairperson of Kagurazaka Geisha Association
2. Dance Performance
3. Frolicking (Ozashiki Games)
4. Q&A

Dance Performance:

1. HAGIKIKYO
   Dancer (Tachikata): Chika
   Mind of ladies in love is expressed in the lyric, using the images of special autumn features.
2. YOSHIWARA SUZUME
   Dancers: Eiko, Konatsu
   An entertaining piece where a man and a woman bird vendors in Yoshiwara perform fun dancing.
3. KAPPORE
   Dancers: Chika, Eiko, Konatsu
   This is a mixture of thanks dedication of good harvest and funny dancing, rooting from a shrine ritual of Sumiyoshi-Taisha in Osaka.
4. SAWAGI
   Dancers: Chika, Eiko, Konatsu
   In all geisha quarters, this song is performed as a finale, however, original lyrics are substituted to suite each location.
   Singer: Mayumi / Shamisen: Natsue, Suzuno / Drum: Yumie

Frolicking (Ozashiki Games):

1. TORATORA (Tiger-Tiger): a kind of ‘paper, stone and scissors’.
2. KONPIRA-FUNEFUNE (name of a folk song): a simple game played by keeping up with the rhythm of the song.
3. SUZUSHIKU NATTAKARA (Because it has been cooled down): pretend to be lovers coming out to enjoy the evening coolness.

“Kagurazaka and Geisha”
Geishas are traditional female Japanese entertainers. They are skilled at various Japanese arts, like playing classical Japanese music and dancing. The enchanting world of the Geisha lives on in Kagurazaka. In Late Edo Period(1857), Kagai (Geisha quarters) developed in Kagurazaka area where lord’s mansions stood and Bishamonten temple attracted pilgrims. After Meiji Period, Kagurazaka flourished as the center for merchants. Fortunately Kagurazaka was free of destructions from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and continued to develop. Around 1937, Kagurazaka Kagai was at the peak with over six hundred Geishas and over hundred fifty Ryotei restaurants. Today, about twenty Geishas and four Ryotei restaurants belong to Tokyo Kagurazaka Association. Incidentally, there are six Kagai (Shinbashi, Akasaka, Asakusa, Yoshichou, Mukoujima, and Kagurazaka) remaining in Tokyo. Although there are less now, the Geishas in Kagurazaka have high aspiration and take pride in being the successors of this culturally rich tradition.

“Kenban”
The administration and accounting office for Geishas, and this room is used for lessons held daily to improve dance and music skills. The building is a historical structure of 1920’s, representing early Showa Period.

Venue; Kagurazaka area
Time schedule; 11:00 – 16:55

Program;

– Performers;

• Komuso Shakuhachi
• Shinnai nagashi

– Performers;

• Seshami Street Boys
• Reiko Takahashi
• Utaji Fukuoka
• Edo-Daikagura; Maruichi Senoh Troupe
• hanamas
• Edo Marionette Group
• HIDE & MIHO with kazuya sato
• Emme & Akihito Obama
• Tsuneyasu Naka
• Hiromu Motonaga
• Squeeze Hajikies
• Takane Umeya
• FKB
• Keita Kanazashi featuring Yoshimi Tsujimoto
• Baikouryu Edogei Kappore

Venue; Kagurazaka area (eight points)
Time schedule; 11:00 – 16:00

Organizer: Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)