Japanese Vaudeville "Taishu Engeki"
Theater for the masses

Taki Yumenosuke (滝　夢之助) A leader of the troupe, Koei-za 光栄座.

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Taishu Engeki 大衆演劇 is theater for the masses, which is a distant cousin of Kabuki.
Kabuki is sophisticated and formal, but Taishu Engeki is informal, easy and not serious.
A troupe consists of several to dozens of actors and actresses.
They spend most of the year on the road, performing at theaters called Shibaigoya 芝居小屋 (There are more than 20 shibaigoya in Japan , so far),
hotels, Ryokan (Japanese style hotel), spas, etc.
The stage is low, and the distance between performers and audience is very close.
Performers often get off the stage and shake hands with fans.
Fans throw "ohineri" (coin/bill wrapped with paper) to a stage, or come close to a favorite performer in order to give him money directly.

1st half: Historical costume drama
The plot is very simple.

2nd half: Music and dance
Shamisen (Japanese banjo)	16-months old actor ! So cute !
Beautiful female acted by male appeals to addiences	Fans are exciting

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As part of welfare policy, local government sent a troupe to nursing homes. Photos are taken at Aisenosato, special elderly nursing home with care house, in Kitanagoya City, Aichi Pref.
Performers set the stage by themselves.	Old people are looking forward to seeing the Taishu Engeki.

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Taishu Engeki Theater (or spa with a stage) in and around Nagoya
Place	Name	Address, etc.	Hours Please confirm before you make plans	TEL
Nagoya	Tokai Kenko center 東海健康センター amusement bathhouse	1-3 Hirabari Araike-shita, Tempaku-cho, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya 名古屋市天白区天白町平針荒池下1-3 Get off at Akaike Sta. on the Tsurumai Subway Line. Take a taxi (5 min.) or free pick-up bus ( Official website is here.	13:00-15:30 19:00-20:00 Adults 1600yen Children 300yen	052-804-1126
Aichi Pref.	Owari Onsen Tokai Center 尾張温泉東海センター amusement spa	97 Aza-Sanakawanishi, Oaza-Kanie, Kanie-cho, Ama-gun 海部郡蟹江町大字蟹江新田字佐名川西97 Get off at Kanie Sta. on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line. Take a free pick-up bus (7 min.) Official website is here.	11:00-15:00 Adults 2000yen Children 800yen	0567-95-3162
	Mikawa Onsen Kaiyutei みかわ温泉海遊亭 amusement spa	186-2 Kasagai, Terabe, Hazu-cho, Hazu-gun 幡豆郡幡豆町寺部笠外186-2 Official website is here.	11:00-15:00 Adults 1800yen Children 600yen	0563-62-6666
Gifu Pref.	Gifu Aoi Gekijo ぎふ葵劇場 theater	Don Quihote 8F, 1-15, Tetsumei-dori, Gifu C. 岐阜市徹明通1-15 Get off at Gifu Sta. on the JR or Meitetsu Line. Take a Gifu Bus and get off at Tetsumei-cho 徹明町　Sta. A 1-min. walk Official website is here.	12:00- 17:00- Adults 1800yen(Ad.1600yen) Children 1000yen	058-377-3713
	Toyo kenko Land Gifu 東洋健康ランド　岐阜 amusement bathhouse	3-5-2 Rokujo-Ehigashi, Gifu C. 岐阜市六条江東3-5-2 Official website is here.	13:30-, 18:00-(Tue. Fri) 19:00-(Mon,Wed, Thu,Sat) Adults 1300yen Children 500yen	058-275-0026
	Gujo Onsen Hosen 郡上温泉　宝泉 amusement spa	200 Yoshino, Hachiman-cho, Gujo C. 郡上市八幡町吉野200 Get off at GujoHachiman Sta. on the Nagaragawa Tetsudo Line. Take a free pick-up bus (5 min.) Official website is here.	13:40-, 20:00-(weekday) 19:00-(Sat, Sun) Adults 1150yen Children 350yen	0575-63-2311
Mie Pref.	Youluxe ユラックス amusement spa	311 Ikuwa-cho, Yokkaichi C. 四日市市生桑町３１１ Official website is　here	-	059-332-2611
	YuYuKaikan ユーユー・カイカン amusement spa	3359 Chishaku-cho, Yokkaichi C. 四日市市智積町3359 Get off at Takatsuno 高角 Sta. on the Kintetsu Line. Take a free pick-up bus (5 min.) Official website is here	13:00-15:00 19:30-20:30 19:00-21:00 (Mon.Thu) Adults 1680yen Children 840yen	059-326-1010

April 27, 2010/OK