A theater in Kyoto City is displaying name boards of Kabuki actors ahead of the year-end shows. They include a father and son who assumed their prestigious stage names this year.
Workers put up 65 boards on the front of the Minamiza theater in an annual tradition on Wednesday.
The names include star actor Onoe Kikugoro VIII and his son, Onoe Kikunosuke VI. The two inherited the centuries-old stage names in May.
Kikugoro’s board was the last one to be put up. Minamiza officials sprinkled salt to purify the venue and prayed for the success of the shows.
Kikugoro and Kikunosuke then appeared before their cheering fans.
Kikugoro told them he will do his best so members of the audience from across Japan will enjoy the performances.
A woman in her 40s said she always looks forward to seeing the year-end shows at Minamiza. She says they make her feel that the year is coming to an end.
The shows are scheduled from December 1 through 25.
AloJapan.com