28‏/12‏/2015

Mino Kabuki Museum Aioiza

A free performance in Hiyoshicho

By Preethu

Community writer

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.

Tissues bags are still flying over the artists.

The stage is filled with tissue wrapped money

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.