日本のよいものを世界へ

Holding period

2022.05.21 〜 2022.05.23

This is a rare once-a-year opportunity to see the Hanayanagi world, which is usually closed to first-time visitors!

The Shinbashi Hanayagikai (geisha world) emerged at the end of the Edo period. Shinbashi became an artistic center, with the goal of the town being to train the best in the art. Following the example of geisha song and dance parlors in Kyoto and Osaka, the Shinbashi Enbujo was built in 1925 as a stage for the Shinbashi geisha to perform their fine performances. Its history began with the first performance of the Shinbashi geisha, “Azuma Todori,” which was the first performance of its kind in the city.

Usually, the Hanayagi world is a place where “first-time visitors are not allowed,” but once a year, the 97th Azuma Odori is a rare opportunity for anyone to enjoy sake snacks from ryotei restaurants and dance performances by geisha. This year’s festival is titled “Higashi Odori: Shinbashi, Shinbashi Hana-no Baiwai,” with the theme of “Hana no Haru Tsuki no Aku” (Flower Spring Moon Autumn) for the first act and “Ichiyo Raiko” (Joyous Revival) for the second act. Geisha perform a variety of dances, including nagauta, kiyomoto, kouta, and the famous Higashi-nodori finale.

There is a festival in the bustle, and the main purpose of the familiar Shinto ritual is to ask the gods to come down. The entire Shinbashi geisha troupe makes a wish to ward off the plague and create a joyous festival. Geisha sing and dance on stage, and during the interval, food and sake are served. Five of Tokyo’s leading ryotei restaurants will compete with each other for the best sake and snacks, and ryotei will carefully select their own sake and original souvenirs. Geisha and ryotei become one, and the Shimbashi Enbujo becomes a large ryotei (Japanese-style restaurant). The beautiful art and style of Japan gather here.

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