Kabuki-za facts for kids
Kabuki-za, Tokyo's premier kabuki theater
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| Address | 東京都中央区銀座四丁目12番15号 4-12-15 Ginza, Chūō-ku Tokyo Japan |
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| Coordinates | 35°40′11″N 139°46′5″E / 35.66972°N 139.76806°E |
| Owner | Kabuki-za Theatrical Corporation |
| Type | Kabuki theater |
| Capacity | 1,964 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 21 November 1889 |
| Rebuilt |
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| Website | |
| http://www.kabuki-za.co.jp/ | |
The Kabuki-za (歌舞伎座) is a famous theater in Tokyo, Japan. It is located in the Ginza area. This theater is the main place to see traditional kabuki plays in Tokyo. Kabuki is a special Japanese drama that combines acting, dancing, and music.
Contents
The History of Kabuki-za
How Kabuki-za Began
The Kabuki-za theater first opened its doors in 1889. A journalist named Fukuchi Gen'ichirō started it. He wrote many kabuki plays for famous actors, like Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. After Danjūrō passed away in 1903, Fukuchi stopped managing the theater. In 1914, the Shochiku Corporation took over. They still run the theater today.
The very first Kabuki-za building was made of wood. It was built on land that once belonged to important Japanese families.
Rebuilding After Disasters
The Kabuki-za has been rebuilt many times because of different disasters.
- In 1921, an electrical fire completely destroyed the wooden building.
- Workers started rebuilding in 1922. The new design was meant to be fireproof. It also mixed traditional Japanese styles with modern building materials.
- But before it was finished, the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake hit. The theater burned down again.
- Finally, the rebuilding was completed in 1924.
The theater faced another challenge during World War II. It was destroyed again by bombing. After the war, it was restored in 1950. This restoration kept the same look as the 1924 building. For many years, it was known as one of Tokyo's most traditional buildings.
The Modern Kabuki-za
The 1950 building was taken down in 2010. It was rebuilt over the next three years. This was done to make sure the building could survive earthquakes. It also improved access for everyone. Before the demolition, special "farewell performances" were held from January to April 2010. Kabuki shows then moved to other theaters nearby. The brand new Kabuki-za theater complex opened on March 28, 2013.
The Design of Kabuki-za
The Kabuki-za's design is very special. The 1924 building had a unique Japanese revival style. This style looked like old Japanese castles and temples from before the Edo period. This traditional look has been kept through all the rebuilds, including the one in 2013.
Inside the theater, the newest building has four new front curtains called doncho. These curtains are beautiful artworks by famous Japanese artists. They are painted in the Nihonga style and show the different seasons of the year.
Seeing a Performance
The Shochiku Corporation manages all the performances at Kabuki-za. They own most of the Kabuki-za Theatrical Corporation. Shows happen almost every day. You can buy tickets for a single act or for the whole play.
Like most kabuki theaters, the shows change each month. Every month, there is a specific set of plays and dances for the afternoon show. A different set of plays makes up the evening show. These performances are repeated almost daily for about three to four weeks. Then, a new month brings a new program of shows.
Images for kids
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This postcard shows the original Kabuki-za building (1889-1911).
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This postcard shows the theater after it was rebuilt in 1911 (1911-1921).
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This postcard shows the theater as it looked after the 1924 rebuild (1924-1945).
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This photo shows the theater after it was rebuilt in 1950 (1950-2010).
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A look inside the theater in 2017.
