Miyako Odori 2010
City : Kyoto
Miyako Odori and other Geisha performances in Kyoto ended in May.
Each spring the geisha community of Gion in Kyoto puts on a spectacular dance known as the Miyako Odori. Shows are held several times a day throughout April at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. Timed to coincide with the arrival of spring, the ceremony is an absolute must see! April is the special time the Geisha district opens its doors to the public.
Senior geishas play their shamisen at the side stages and young geishas act the play of the year. There are eight scenes and two to five geishas act in a scene. In the final scene, all geishas, twenty or more, dance on the stage. It's amazing.
The dance originated in the Meiji period, not long after Kyoto was supplanted by Tokyo as the nation's capital. The city decided to stage an exhibition to showcase its elegant culture that had developed over its thousand year reign as the ancient capital. It was here in 1872 that the Miyako Odori was performed for the first time.
A geisha is a professional entertainer specializing in traditional Japanese skills such as dance, singing, and playing traditional instruments. A geisha from Kyoto is known as a 'geiko', and an apprentice geiko is called 'Maiko'. It is easy to tell the difference between geiko and maiko as their kimono, hairstyle and choice of shoe are very different. Maiko wear long, hanging belt to wrap kimono and hobble about in raised clog like shoes. (On the stage, they wear the same)
Shows are performed 4 times daily from April 1st-30th; they begin at 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 and 16:50 and last about an hour; furthermore, there's also the opportunity to try the Tea ceremony beforehand (this is included in special class tickets only and you must arrive 40 minutes early).
There are 3 classes of ticket, priced at Y4,500, Y4,000 and Y2,000 respectively. Special and first class tickets include reserved seats on the first and second floors, whilst second class tickets offer a cushioned seating area located on the third. Despite being located high in the gallery at the back, the view is reasonable ? although, depending on your position, you may not be able to see all of the musicians. Photography is not permitted.
Tickets can be purchased through travel agents or by calling the reservation line on 075-541-3391 between 10:00 and 17:00. Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets on the day of the show. The theater, Gion Koubu Kaburenjo is only about 15 minutes walk from Kawaramachi station (Hankyu Railway) which is the very center in downtown.
Perhaps you could combine this activity with 'Sakura' (cherry blossom) viewing in nearby Shirakawa and Takasegawa area alongside of canal. Also in eastern area, temples open for extended hours in the evening with special illuminations. See http://www.visitkansai.com/attractions/cherry-blossom-night-view for more information.
Miyako Odori Official Website: http://www.miyako-odori.jp/miyakoodori/english.html
Map
The Miyako Odori is the most famous of the dances but there are also two others that run in April and one in May. Their theaters and number of Geikos are smaller than Miyako Odori.
Tickets on the day of performances of Miyako Odori get quickly sold out at the box office, but other dances are available most of the time. Kyo Odori (photo on the left top of this page) is about 10 minutes walk away from Miyako Odori. So you can take it as a second choice.
Kyo Odori :
Apr.3 - Apr.18 Time:12:30, 14:30 16:30 Ticket: Y4,000 (Y4,500 with tea) http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~miyagawacho/index.html
Kitano Odori :
Mar.25 - Apr.7 The theater Kamishichiken is close to the popular cherry blossom viewing spot, Hirano Shrine. Time:13:30, 16:00 Ticket: Y4,000 (Y4,500 with tea) http://www.maiko3.com/index.html
Kamogawa Odori :
May.1 - May.24 Located in Ponto-cho, entertainment center with many restaurants and bars. Time:12:30, 14:30 16:10 Ticket: Y4,000 (Y4,500 with tea) Y2000 http://www1.odn.ne.jp/~adw58490/english7.html
Each locations are indicated on the map below.
View kyoto geiko dances in a larger map
---Colin Noble---