The Lion Dance

I went to kabuki and might as well be walking on clouds today. Oh, how gorgeous it was!

I started out the day dressed in black, striding down the lane to go to the Toji Flea Market. I was stopped by an old lady and told that I looked “very cool”—I blushed and thanked her.

At Toji, the market was bustling. This may be one of the best Toji markets because it’s right before the giant holiday Boys’ Day and thus there are a lot of carp-themed things going around. I even saw a goldfish stand! I met up with Tilly there and we headed to the theater.

After the flea market, I changed into the haori that Okaasan Prime gave me. It fit me like a dream and really suited me, I thought. And I wasn’t the only one. While waiting in line, about six old ladies descended upon me, making me turn around and show them the haori. They complimented me greatly and I turned the color of my haori.

Look at all the people--this is only a tenth or less!

The seats were first come, first serve, so Tilly and I managed to get some of the most excellent seats—right next to the hanamichi (the long strip of stage that goes through the audience). This meant that I got an eye level look at costume knees when they passed me by.

Looking down the hanamichi

I liked the decoration on the lights

The performance was amazing. It is called Renjishi and is usually preformed by a father-son team. It details the dance of a father and son lion. The first act has costuming of just a scarf with a lion head and bells on it, but the final act is when both the father and the son are decked out in full kabuki regalia—you know, that giant bushy wig that could be a wig, could be an unconscious animal.

The "son lion" has bright red hair

"Son Lion" and "Father Lion"

 

And then, they did the hair tossing! Words cannot describe how awed I was by this. The kid was maybe eight years old and here he was looking as every bit professional as his father and not a single error was made! 

By the end, Tilly and I were just clasping each other in raptures of delight. It was perfect. It gave me a high similar to my museum sprees and I was walking on air.

Here's what seems to be a full version of the dance, though with an older son playing the "son lion" part.

 Afterward we and a few other friends walked around the Gion-shijo shopping district before I had to head home.