Page 153 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

ENTER T AINMENT IN T OK Y O  151

Often shaven-headed and DIRECTORY
almost naked with body
makeup, the dancers follow Traditional Theater
a slow choreography that Kabuki-za Theater
seeks to create beauty out of 4-12-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku.
self-imposed grotesqueness. Map 5 C3.
Look out for performances Tel (03) 3545-6800.
by established troupes such
as Dairakudakan or Buto-sha Kamakura Tourist
Tenkei, staged at Setagaya Association
Tel (0467) 23-3050.
Public Theater but more often
at small fringe theaters in Kanze Nohgakudo
outlying areas. 1-16-4 Shoto, Shibuya-ku.
Takarazuka Theater, a venue for dance and Map 1 A5.
theater performances Tel (03) 3469-5241.
Traditional Music
Traditional and The oldest Japanese musical National Theater
Contemporary Dance 4-1 Hayabusa-cho,
traditions are those of the ma‑ Chiyoda-ku.
Performances of traditional tsuri or festivals (see pp30–33), Map 2 F3.
dance are staged regularly by featuring instruments such as Tel (03) 3265-7411.
the Nihon Buyo Foundation. drums and flutes. Performances National Noh Theater
The Azuma Odori, an annual of captivating ancient court 4-18-1 Sendagaya,
production of dance and music, known as gagaku, Shibuya-ku. Map 1 C3.
drama usually held at the end are given oc casion ally at Tel (03) 3423-1331.
of May, brings Tokyo’s geisha the National Theater or at
community on stage at major temples Shinbashi Enbujo
6-18-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku.
Shinbashi Enbujo. in the city. Map 5 C3.
A unique theater The Japan Tel (03) 3541-2600.
experience is Gagaku
Takarazuka, a Society holds major Suehirotei
company concerts featuring 3-6-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku.
divided into other regional Map 1 B1.
Tel (03) 3351-2974.
five troupes in struments such
and composed A woman playing a as the stringed Suzumoto
entirely of women. shamisen instrument koto and shamisen, 2-7-12 Ueno, Taito-ku.
With their own and the shakuhachi Map 3 C3.
state-of-the-art Takarazuka (flute). Do not miss a chance to Tel (03) 3834-5906.
Theater in Yurakucho, they catch a concert by one of the Theater Cocoon
perform traditional adaptations troupes of Japanese drummers, Bunkamura, 2-24-1 Dogenzaka,
in Japanese of Western musicals performing on taiko drums Shibuya-ku.
and historical love stories, and ranging from the size of small Map 1 A5.
are famed for their extravagant snares to huge barrels 6ft Tel (03) 3477-9111.
productions. (2 meters) or more in diameter.
Butoh is a distinct and The most dynamic of the Traditional and
compelling form of performing groups is Kodo, Contemporary Dance
contemporary dance which plays an annual series Nihon Buyo Foundation
developed in the 1960s that of concerts at venues such as 10-8 Sumiyoshi-cho.
draws on elements of mime the popular Bunkamura (see Map 2 D1.
and traditional ascetic practice. p68) in Shibuya each December. Tel (03) 3354-5496.
Setagaya Public Theater
4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku.
Tel (03) 5432-1526.
∑ setagaya-pt.jp/en
Takarazuka Theater
1-1-3 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku.
Map 5 B2.
Tel (03) 5251-2001.
Traditional Music
The Japan Gagaku Society
3-34-15 Koremasa, Fuchu City.
Tel (0423) 66-0679.
Japanese women performing traditional opera dance

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