Kaho Gekijo Kabuki Theater
- Published on : 10/04/2013
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
Kaho Gekijo Kabuki Theater in Iizuka, Fukuoka prefecture is an historic, traditional kabuki theater that was built in 1931.
Kaho Gekijo Kabuki Theater, Iizuka, Fukuoka 嘉穂劇場
Jake Davies
The Kaho Theater in Iizuka is a fine example of a traditional kabuki theater of the Meiji Period though it was constructed in 1931. The original theater, Nakaza, was modeled on the Nakaza Theater in Osaka and was built in 1922 and was a much larger, three storey structure, however it burned down in 1928.
Rebuilt the next year the Nakaza Theater was destroyed by a typhoon in 1930, and the current, smaller version was built the following year. The theater was severely damaged by a flood in 2003 but reconstruction and repair was recently completed.
Though nowadays associated with the larger cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, kabuki was immensely popular throughout the country right up until the ascendance of TV in the postwar period.
Exterior of the Keho Gejiko Kabuki Theater in Iizuka, Kyushu
Seating at the Keho Gejiko Kabuki Theater in Iizuka, Fukuoka
Iizuka is located in the midst of the Chikuho region of northern Kyushu and the site of the richest coal field in Japan. At the height of the coal industry in the first half of the twentieth century there were 48 theaters in the Chikuho area serving the coal miners and their families.
The Kaho is the last remaining one and is still operational today with concerts, popular dramas, rakugo, and kabuki performed throughout the year. Once a year kabuki fans from all over Japan come here for the Zenkoku Zacho Taikai, a competition for the top itinerant kabuki performers from around the country.
For a provincial theater it is quite spacious and can seat 1,200 in the mezzanine, balcony, and boxes. There are two hanamichi walkways extending out from the stage into the audience and a 16 meter diameter revolving stage, supposedly the biggest in the country, that is manually turned by 12 men.
Keho Gejiko Kabuki Theater in Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture
Visitors are free to wander on the stage as well as backstage and below the stage to see how it is moved. There are a couple of rooms with displays of posters and assorted props.
Access
Open to visitors from 9 to 5 all days when there is not a performance or rehearsal except for the New Year.
5-23 Izuka, Izuka-shi
Fukuoka
820-0041
Tel: 0948 22 0266
Map of Kaho Gekijo
Entrance is 300 yen. The theater is a 15 minute walk north from Izuka Station, just off National Highway 211.
Kabuki masks at the Keho Gejiko Kabuki Theater in Iizuka
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Wakimachi Odeon-za in Shikoku is also a 1930's theater originally built for kabuki and later became a cinema.
