I happened to be passing nearby, and the maneki boards were already up at the Minamiza Theatre. It really is the end of the year, isn’t it?
I couldn’t get a good seat on the dates I wanted for this year’s Kaomise production, so I won’t be going… but just looking at the Minamiza dressed up for the year-end made me giggle with delight. Such is the power of the maneki!
Just Looking at the Maneki Is a Joy
The Kichirei Kaomise at the Minamiza is an annual event that announces the arrival of the year-end season to the streets of Kyoto. The front of the theatre is lined with maneki boards bearing the performers’ names, written in kantei-ryu, a distinctive calligraphy style with thick, rounded strokes. Under the blue sky, the combination of the giant lantern and the maneki is a view you can only enjoy at this time of year. Looking up and spotting familiar names, time simply flies.
A few days later I passed by again, and this time there was a sign at the entrance: opening day. I wasn’t even going, and yet I felt strangely restless (laughs). The celebratory mood inside seemed to seep out through the doors.
When the maneki go up, you know the year is almost over. Whether you see the show or not, the Kaomise marks the beginning of winter in Kyoto.
