Back at the Kabukiza with the flat-rate theatregoing service again, my third round this month, so I’ve privately nicknamed it “Flat-Rate No. 3”. This time, Part 2 of the August Program. The “Opening Day” banners that fluttered so proudly on day one had already been taken down, and the theatre was back to its usual look. Naturally, of course, but it still felt a little lonely. And yet, today was wonderful all the same.
The Hand-Drawn Uchiwa Display Is Far Too Much Fun
In the lobby, there’s a display of uchiwa fans hand-drawn by the actors themselves. It’s like a showcase of personalities, and one interval is nowhere near enough time to take it all in.
First, Somegoro’s uchiwa. He says he’ll do his best, declares he’ll keep studying, explains his role, promotes the September programme… everything he wants to say, all written down (and in bullet points, no less 🤣). It’s so earnest that you start wondering: is this a diary? A progress report? That’s not quite what an uchiwa is for, is it? www I stood there grinning to myself in front of it. And if you won this in the giveaway, would you display it in your room? A progress report? Too funny, too earnest, absolutely brilliant.
Ukon’s uchiwa carries a single line: “It’s been a while.” The lettering is perfectly balanced, and yet what it says is just a greeting (laugh). Honestly, the man is a genius.
And then the Nakamura Kankuro family: every one of them drew a picture, making theirs the most uchiwa-like uchiwa of all. Better still, the pictures match their roles this month. Wonderful ⛄️ Chozaburo’s drawing of a pine cricket is so sweet that I’m still agonising over whether to enter the giveaway for it. And Kankuro’s, Dad’s, uchiwa was dynamic and hilarious.
By the way, the actors’ questionnaire in this month’s programme book is another must-read: pure, unfiltered charm. I read every single answer and enjoyed all of them. Somegoro’s especially 🤣 and Ukon’s answers made me laugh too.
Rakuda: Funny x Funny = Unbeatable
My main reason for coming was Rakuda, a kabuki play based on the classic rakugo story of the same name, with Kankuro performing the wastepaper buyer Kyuroku for the first time.
It was, quite simply, the best. Kankuro and Koshiro together prove the equation: funny x funny = unbeatable. Both of them are such handsome, commanding actors, which makes them all the more glorious in roles like these. This one, you really must see.
I’m booked to see it twice more, and I could not be happier. I want to laugh at it again and again.
The East Box Seats: Better from Farther Back?
My seat this time was a box seat at the very end of the east side. And you know what, it was really rather good.
I’d sat in the east boxes the day before as well, and the view changes quite a bit depending on the position. My discovery: in the second-floor east boxes, the seats farther from the stage may actually offer a better view than the ones closest to it. A small tip for anyone choosing a box seat with the flat-rate service.
A Pre-Curtain Taiyaki
While I was waiting in the lobby for Part 2 after Part 1 had finished, the shop opened, so I bought a medetai-yaki, the Kabukiza’s celebratory fish-shaped cake, and ate it before the curtain rose. Every time I have one, I think the same thing: the mochi inside is downright sinful. Far too delicious.
I used my Chikazawa Lace handkerchief as a little placemat. I’ve been buying far too many handkerchiefs lately (laugh).
Final Thoughts
Grinning at the uchiwa display, laughing through Rakuda, and finishing content with a taiyaki: that was my Part 2. Thanks to the flat-rate service, the bar for popping over to the Kabukiza has dropped wonderfully low this month.
Now then… whose uchiwa shall I enter the giveaway for? (Look at me, fully convinced I’m going to win.)
