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The traditional Japanese performing arts come in many shapes and sizes, each with roots dating back to ancient times. Yose entertainment is no exception. Its origins can be traced back to the spiritual performances and storytelling events at festivals. By the 18th century, during the Edo period, street performances, such as katarigei (e.g., storytelling performances) and misemonogei (e.g., sideshows) began gathering and evolving in makeshift venues. These venues became known as yose, marking the birth of Yose entertainment. It is a kind of Japanese entertainment with diverse performances such as rakugo, daikagura kyokugei, and wazuma. Each set of shows presents different themes and content, ensuring a unique experience with each visit. Discover the multifaceted world of Yose and experience the fun in the traditional performing arts of Japan.

Myoujin Show – Rakuza: Your Gateway to Yose

Experience Japanese vaudeville like never before at the Myoujin Show – Rakuza, the perfect avenue for those eager to immerse themselves in live cultural performances. This participatory event, held at the EDO Culture Complex, a newly established facility celebrating Kanda Myoujin's 1300th founding anniversary, invites the audience to engage directly with performances. You'll feel an unparalleled closeness to Japanese culture, enjoying a performance that lasts an hour and a half and is brimming with three exciting acts – rakugo, daikagura, and wazuma. Join me as we discover what it means to experience Japanese vaudeville.

Upon entering the venue's first floor, you'll be surprised by the mountain of Japanese Edo-themed merchandise and trinkets sold, from various power stones, tenugui with fun designs, sacred sake, lucky charms, and more! Additionally, an assortment of delicious Japanese culinary delights and traditional desserts awaits at their café, alongside their signature ginger ale—a perfect companion to savor during the yose performance.

The magic unfolds on the basement floor at the Edocco studio. Each seat is paired with a table adorned with Japanese props and gifts related to the show's acts, ready for you to explore. Each act's performers will teach you a particular trick or the basics of their act, ensuring a fun and thrilling experience. With an English-speaking translator present throughout the show, language barriers are non-existent, making it accessible to everyone.

Rakugo

The first act is rakugo, arguably the most famous type of Yose, it is a unique form of storytelling. A rakugo master, seated on a zabuton cushion at the center of the stage, uses only a tenugui and a sensu as props for the whole performance. He weaves stories with comedic plots and twists reflective of the daily lives of the Japanese people in bygone eras. Often involving dialogues between multiple characters, I was captivated by the master's skillful transition between these personas. Through the master's words, gestures, and tone, I was able to vividly imagine the scene changes, the character's personality, and the emotions embedded in each story.

For this part of the show, you'll have the unique opportunity to experience rakugo firsthand. Not only will you witness the art form live, but the rakugo master will also offer a comprehensive introduction to how rakugo artists use their props to create a scene for each story they narrate. Using the props that were on my table, the master encouraged us to follow each hand movement and gesture as he explained it in detail, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable participating. I was a little bit self-conscious at first; however, as I noticed everyone was enthusiastically engaging in the activity, my actions felt more natural, and I was able to enjoy it under the master's guidance. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even take center stage, don the master's robe, and sit on the zabuton for a more realistic feel of how a rakugo master delivers his stories. This approach provides a unique way to experience rakugo, inviting you to immerse yourself in Japanese culture as never before.

Daikagura Kyokugei

Anyone who is a fan of performances that take you to the edge of your seat would love daikagura kyokugei. Kyokugei means acrobatics or gymnastics in Japanese. As I watched the performers during the initial part of their performance, it reminded me of circus jugglers I used to watch as a kid; however, as it continued, I could never have been more wrong. Daikagura is a traditional Japanese performing art that has deep spiritual roots in Japan. It was believed that offering daikagura to the gods would please them and invite their blessings to the community. Originally a religious ritual, these were dances accompanied by ceremonial music from shrines and temples. During the establishment of the Edo shogunate, it spread across Japan, and the acrobatic and gymnastic elements evolved into a form of entertainment, which led to an independent genre within yose entertainment incorporating comical dialogues, acrobatics, and its own type of music.

The music played on traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen (a traditional three-stringed instrument), flute, and drums add rhythm and dynamics. It sets the mood and pace for acrobatics and juggling acts, ranging from slow and melodic to enhance the audience’s anticipation and thrill to fast and energetic to stir up enthusiasm and comedy among the viewers. With a strong emphasis on acrobatics, daikagura kyokugei showcases the performer’s balancing, juggling, and other dexterity skills that involve rigorous training before they are allowed to perform on stage.

What distinguishes daikagura acrobatics from Western acrobatics is its use of traditional Japanese objects such as Japanese umbrellas, wooden bowls and plates, balls, and traditional musical accompaniment, making it a unique cultural experience.

In the first half of their act, they showcase an array of balancing and acrobatic skills with props and more. It's truly an amazing sight, making you marvel at how balancing a kettle with your chin is even possible. I have never seen anything like it before. I was so enamored by it that for the second half, I eagerly volunteered to assist by throwing a ball onto the umbrella, which the performer skillfully caught despite my lack of aim. You also get a chance to balance the ball on a Japanese umbrella yourself, using one of the props provided at your table. Watching this segment was both nerve-wracking and exciting for me, as the ball's landing is always a surprise. The performers deliberately making silly attempts to assist the participant in making it more comical was especially delightful, often leading the whole room to burst out laughing. The unpredictable aspect caused by the audience's participation made it all the more fun!

Wazuma

Last but not least is wazuma. Do you love magic shows? If you're like me, then wazuma would tickle your fascination. It is a style of kijutsu (Japanese magical arts) which combines traditional Japanese techniques with Western magic elements. Kijutsushi, the magician, engages the audience in humorous conversation as they perform to make it more fun and livelier. Using sleight-of-hand techniques and stylized movements, the kijutsushi creates a captivating spectacle that mesmerizes viewers and transforms magic into a performance art rooted in Japanese cultural heritage.

From the outset of her act, I was mesmerized by the sight of the kijutsushi entering the stage in a stunning kimono. The kimono's elaborate patterns and vibrant colors magnify the allure of her performance. Showing her mastery of sleight-of-hand techniques and illusions, making objects appear and vanish as if by magic, her performance is enriched by the seamless integration of Japanese aesthetics, using everyday items such as bills, scarves, handkerchiefs, and mirrors to astonishing effect. In the interactive segment of her show, she introduces a simple mind-reading trick to the audience, using a chart of animals for demonstration. It was an exciting thing to learn the trick behind this mentalism act since you’ll be able to show it to others as well.

Aside from this mind-reading act, another magic trick using thread will be shared with the audience. Volunteer participants get invited in front to demonstrate the magic tricks taught. The show is also peppered with humor, as the kijutsushi skillfully blends jokes and amusing commentary while engaging with the participants. This offers a unique opportunity not only to enjoy a captivating performance but also to immerse oneself in Japanese culture. More than creating lasting memories, it's a chance to learn magic tricks you can perform for friends and family, showcasing the fascinating skills acquired from your Japanese adventure.

At the show's conclusion, you'll have the opportunity to interact directly with the performers! During the Q&A session, all the performers gather at the center stage, inviting you to ask any questions about their acts. It is a chance to satisfy your curiosity, with the assurance that all questions related to their performance are welcome. Don't let language barriers hold you back; a translator will be there to ensure your questions are understood. Following the Q&A, you can get the chance to take photos with all the performers. Seize the moment to capture memories through photographs, immortalizing your experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Embark on a cultural awakening and deep dive into a unique aspect of Japanese culture, encouraging participation and immersion to bring Japan's rich traditions to life.