京都 Kyoto : Gion Corner - Introduction to the Japanese traditional art

  Although I repeatedly stated that Kyoto is the Capital of Japanese culture and tradition, I have almost never introduced you any traditional art. In Gion district of Kyoto, there is a traditional theatre that is open to the Japanese common people and foreign tourists called "Gion Corner".
  Here in "Gion Corner",  you can watch a brief introducionary threatre of seven different traditional Japanese plays, dances and musics. For foreigners and most Japanese who are not familiar with traditional theatre plays like myself, this offers the best opportunity to know a little bit of ancient arts.
  The performace last one hour and costs only 3,150 yen per person, which is quite reasonable. To begin with, they show three things simultaneously: tea ceremony and "koto" play and flower arrangement.

This is tea ceremony called "sado (茶道)". A habit of tasting tea started in the 10th century when Buddhist monks introduced it when they returned from China. However, this custom remained among monks in temple and aristocrats at the Imperial court in Kyoto. It was developed into an art form in the 16th century when Sennorikyu, a great tea master established its basic concept of tea ceremony, which we can enjoy now.

"Koto (琴)" is a stringed musical instrument brought to Japan from China, 1,300 years ago and it has a unique sound which is very different from Western instruments.

The third one is the Japanese flower arrangement called "ikebana (生け花)" or "kado (華道)". The origin of this art is related to a custom of giving offerings to deities. Later, it was developed along with tea ceremony. Ikebana was used to decorate a room where tea was served to guests.

 

Gagaku (雅楽) is a traditional dance performance which has the origin from other countries in Asia and developed into an art form in the 10th century. A vivid costume and distinctive mask are very characteristic.

 

 The next one is "kyogen (狂言)", a classic comedy play made by two or three actors. Plots are basically designed to be very simple and funny so that audiences can understand easily even they follow their dialogue. In this story, the mater tried to prevent his servants drinking liquor which he hide somewhere in the house. He tied them with a rope and stick since they repeatedly drink it without his consent. During the performance, servants managed to drink it again even though they are tied up by helping one and the other. In the end of the story, they are caught by the master.

And here comes climax of this theatre, the performance by Geisha.

The last performance are traditional Japanese puppet plays called "bunraku (文楽)". Since its main character is a puppet or puppets, puppeteers who handle puppets wear black costume by covering their entire body. The theatre is played with a dim light so that audience will not be disturbed by catching their eyes with pupeteers. It is like a silent movie and there is usually no dialogue. Therefore, audience read manuscripts beforehand. They normally enjoy the way how puppeteers  maoeuvre skillfully as if the puppet was alive. 

These are the accessories worn by Geisha. They wear different ones in each season.