 Last additions - Shinjuku-ku 新宿区 |
As the climax of the 37th Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival, the Kagurazaka Awa Odori Dance was held on July 25-26, 2008, from 7 pm to 9 pm. These photos were taken on July 25, 2008. Crowd at Bishamonten.Aug 18, 2008
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The Awa Odori is held on Kagurazaka's main street called Kagurazaka-dori, a sloping road near Iidabashi Station. 神楽坂阿波踊りAug 18, 2008
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Sotobori Park on the other side of the moat. 外濠公園Apr 02, 2007
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Apr 02, 2007
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Canal CafeApr 02, 2007
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Photographers who love trains and cherries flock here.Apr 02, 2007
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Chuo Line passes through. 中央線Apr 02, 2007
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Sobu Line passes through.Apr 02, 2007
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The moat is parallel to the Chuo Line. View from Shin-Mitsuke Bridge. 新見附橋Apr 02, 2007
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Sobu Line passes through.Apr 02, 2007
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How it looks from the end of the moat.Apr 02, 2007
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Apr 02, 2007
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How it looks from the end of the moat.Apr 02, 2007
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The end of the moat is also a good viewpoint.Apr 02, 2007
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Rowboats and low-hanging cherries.Apr 02, 2007
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The end of the moat is also a good viewpoint.Apr 02, 2007
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Apr 02, 2007
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Apr 02, 2007
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Cherry trees along the Sotobori Moat. Formerly a moat of Edo Castle, this canal stretching from Iidabashi Station to Ichigaya Station along the Chuo Line.Apr 02, 2007
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Empty rowboats too.Apr 02, 2007
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People in a long line waiting to enter Canal Cafe to either dine or rent a rowboat.Apr 02, 2007
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The cherry blossoms lining Sotobori Moat also look stunning from the road, Sotobori-dori in front of Kagurazaka.Apr 02, 2007
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Canal Cafe is right below the cherries. But notice empty tables despite the long line.Apr 02, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Very popular festival and well-worth seeing.Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Smoking dragon danceMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Dancing in front of JR Shinjuku Station, East sideMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Hand drumMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Infectious Okinawan beat. Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri, TokyoMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri, TokyoMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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Several groups perform along the main road on the east side of JR Shinjuku Station. This is in front of Isetan Dept. Store.Mar 25, 2007
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Many women drummers also perform. Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri, TokyoMar 25, 2007
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Mar 25, 2007
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A large crowd watches as the crowd-pleasing drummers bring a bit of Okinawa to central Tokyo.Mar 25, 2007
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Hall entrance and signMay 01, 2005
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Geisha catching a taxi homePhoto by Kevin Mihaly.May 01, 2005
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Hand clappingThis is called sanbon-jime, a series of hand clapping to mark the end of a successful meeting.May 01, 2005
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A bow of thanksMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Closing wordsThe women standing in the back are the okami-san (proprietress) of high-class Japanese-style restaurants in Kagurazaka where the geisha are hired to perform at private geisha parties.May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Towel throwingDuring the finale, the geisha started throwing hand towels to the audience.May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Towel throwingThere were women in the middle the hall also throwing towels to people sitting further back.May 01, 2005
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FinaleEveryone performed in the finale.May 01, 2005
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Praying at BishamonMay 01, 2005
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Praying at BishamonBishamon is a Buddhist temple in Kagurazaka where the geisha go to worship. The song included a reference to this temple.May 01, 2005
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FinaleMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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FinaleMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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After the dance, this geisha posed with us for a picture.May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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The Word Called Love (恋と云う字)May 01, 2005
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悋気しゃんすなSolo number performed by Maiko (her name). 舞子May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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引けや引け引けMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Kagurazaka geisha danceMay 01, 2005
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Kagurazaka geisha danceMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Chestnut Rice Cakes （栗餅）The third number was called "Chestnut Mochi." Mochi is rice cake. They pound sticky rice to make it. Performed by two geisha. The one in blue is a male role.May 01, 2005
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Lively Colors of Kagurazaka（神楽坂華の彩）The final number, called Lively Colors of Kagurazaka (Kagurazaka Hana no Irodori) actually consisted of seven dances. This was the first one performed by three geisha. （ひと里）May 01, 2005
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IntermissionThis Ushigome-Tansu Kumin Hall can hold almost 400 people. Both shows were sold out. Tickets are sold about a month in advance. They sold out within 2 weeks. I was sitting in the middle of the hall (non-reserved seating). Tickets cost only 2,000 yen.May 01, 2005
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Closing curtainMay 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Unlike geisha dances in Kyoto which have elaborate backgrounds, the background here is quite plain, making us focus on the geisha which were enough eye candy. The background really didn't matter. The dances were very aesthetic and pleasing to the eyes and ears.May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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Her big round eyes makes her look like a real doll.May 01, 2005
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Rear viewMay 01, 2005
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Music and singing accompanimentAll numbers was accompanied by live music and singing.May 01, 2005
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Eight Views of Tatsumi (巽八景）The second number was about the Tatsumi and Monzen-nakacho (Fukagawa) district in Koto Ward, Tokyo. The dance reflects the chic and bravado of the area (in the old days) which was one of Tokyo's gay quarters with geisha as well.May 01, 2005
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Shimada hairstyleStandard hairstyle for geisha. This a wig.May 01, 2005
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"Hana no Kai" Dance by Kagurazaka geishaThe "Hana no Kai" geisha dance is held annually by geisha in Kagurazaka, one of Tokyo's major geisha districts. "Hana" means livley or gaudy. And "Kai" can mean gathering or party.
They held two shows on the same day. This was the second show starting at 3 pm on April 16, 2005. It lasted till about 4:45 pm.May 01, 2005
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May 01, 2005
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"Blue Ocean Waves" (青海波)They performed four numbers. This first one was called "Blue Ocean Waves" performed by five geisha.May 01, 2005
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Notice that the kimono design shows waves.May 01, 2005
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