Last additions - 23rd Asakusa Odori Geisha Dance 第23回 浅草おどり |
Asakusa hangyoku (apprentice geisha in Tokyo) named Ichigo posing in April 2001. 半玉Oct 31, 2008
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At the end, we clapped in celebration. The show was 2.5 hours long, including a 10-min. and 20-min. intermission.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa hangyoku (apprentice geisha in Tokyo). 半玉 こず江Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa geisha bowing to the audience in three directions. Bravo!Oct 31, 2008
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22nd Asakusa Odori, April 2001.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa hangyoku (apprentice geisha in Tokyo). 半玉 千福Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Odori organizer speaks to thank the audience. He said that people looked forward to seeing the next Asakusa Odori next year, but he said, "There won't be one next year."Oct 31, 2008
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I also saw the 22nd Asakusa Odori held in April 2001 at the Asakusa Kokaido. The lobby had two hangoyku greeting the audience.Oct 31, 2008
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Since this was the final show (Oct. 29, 2008 at 3 pm), they all appeared on the stage with the organizers and said a few words.Oct 31, 2008
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Toward the end, they threw hand towels to the audience. Also see my YouTube video here.Oct 31, 2008
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The third part of the Finale. 五万石Oct 31, 2008
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Then they all sat and started to bow. It was really an outstanding performance.Oct 31, 2008
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Dancing on the hanamichiOct 31, 2008
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Fourth part of the Finale. 笠森おせんOct 31, 2008
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Last part of the Finale called Asakusa Meibutsu-Sawagi when they all came out dancing on the stage and hanamichi. 浅草名物 さわぎOct 31, 2008
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The Finale's first part was called Namiki Komagata-Koi no Asakusa 並木駒形 恋の浅草Oct 31, 2008
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LobbyOct 31, 2008
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On the hanamichiOct 31, 2008
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I took the intermission time to photograph an Asakusa geisha.Oct 31, 2008
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Then there was a 20-min. intermission which featured a comedic trio.Oct 31, 2008
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The fourth and final number was the Finale called 江戸の心浅茅の賑い which consisted of six parts. They performed their zashiki dances.Oct 31, 2008
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The three red lions were nice, but they didn't swing their hair round and round like in kabuki.Oct 31, 2008
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Drinking sakeOct 31, 2008
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Three red-haired lions.Oct 31, 2008
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The play is set during the cherry blossom season.Oct 31, 2008
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She left the stage this way.Oct 31, 2008
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A more mature woman appears for this part set in autumn.Oct 31, 2008
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The third part of 三枚続花の姿絵 was called Hana no Shojo 花の猩々 which means Flowery Heavy Drinker. This play comes from a Noh play.Oct 31, 2008
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Sank into the stage to disappear.Oct 31, 2008
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The second part of 三枚続花の姿絵 was called Hagi no Hanazuma 萩の花妻 which means Bush Clover Flower Lady.Oct 31, 2008
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With a dark background, the geisha seemed to glow in the dark.Oct 31, 2008
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These six geisha dressed as young maidens make their first-time appearance in the Asakusa Odori.Oct 31, 2008
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The third number was called 三枚続花の姿絵 and consisted of three parts. The first part was called 星月夜 which means "Night of Stars and Moon."Oct 31, 2008
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The second number was called Matsuri (Festival). It featured these three young village girls and two geisha dancers. 藤間流 まつりOct 31, 2008
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Waving these white streamers created a dazzling visual effect. It must have been either the wind or river.Oct 31, 2008
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For the second number, there was a little stage for the musicians and singers on the right of the stage.Oct 31, 2008
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There were only four dancers, but they went through several costume changes onstage.Oct 31, 2008
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The dance consisted of four numbers. The first one was called Sara Sanban-so (晒三番叟) which was first performed in Edo in Nov. 1755. 宝暦5年Oct 31, 2008
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Name cards of all 49 Asakusa geisha.Oct 31, 2008
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A hand towel with the names of all the current Asakusa geisha was selling for 1,500 yen. They also had T-shirts.Oct 31, 2008
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Name cards of all the geisha were sold for 100 yen apiece.Oct 31, 2008
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The 2nd floor had a booth selling Asakusa geisha souvenirs. The dance program was 1,000 yen.Oct 31, 2008
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A side attraction was a tea session (ocha-seki) performed and served by two geisha (or hangyoku). It cost 700 yen for tea and sweets. お茶席Oct 31, 2008
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Stairway to the hall.Oct 31, 2008
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Hall lobby (Get that trash bin outta there.)Oct 31, 2008
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Reception table backed by a board listing various corporate sponsors. I attended the final show on Oct. 29, 2008 at 3 pm.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Odori flyer/poster. Two shows (11:30 am and 3 pm) were performed on both days, for a total of four shows. Tickets cost 6,500 yen for reserved seats and 2,000 yen for non-reserved on the 3rd floor.Oct 31, 2008
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Entrance to Asakusa Kokaido and Asakusa Odori sign. In the 1950s, there were 550 geisha in Asakusa. Now there are only about 49 geisha in Asakusa. Not all of them appeared in the Asakusa Odori. The Asaji-kai dance was renamed Asakusa Odori in 1995.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Odori banner in front of Asakusa Kokaido. The 1st Asakusa Odori (called Asaji-kai 浅茅会) was held in 1950 for four days at the old Sumida Gekijo Hall. It was held annually until 1956. After that, it was held every 2 years or less often.Oct 31, 2008
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Asakusa Kokaido Hall in Asakusa, Tokyo, venue of the 23rd Asakusa Odori geisha dance held on Oct. 28-29, 2008. It has been seven years since the last time the Asakusa Odori was held in April 2001. 浅草公会度Oct 31, 2008
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