MICE News

Japanese Theater Revival Event

According to a May 2020 study from the PIA Research Institute on the economic effects of COVID-19, the entertainment industry is expected to face losses of up to 77% of last year's market value of 900 billion JPY, a total of 690 billion JPY. The victims of these losses are not just the actors and singers who stand on the stage, but also the lighting and equipment specialists behind the scenes who now face significant strain, and the Japanese performing arts in particular are facing a real danger of losing the craft and spirit of the Japanese people. Joining other performers and actors in their indomitable will to promote the revival of theater culture, famed kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI has stated that "as economic recovery from COVID-19's heavy blow rapidly progresses, and now in the 'with-corona' era, we are trying to revitalize the theater while still reducing infection risk."

Dotonbori, symbolizing the culture and spirit of Osaka, has been known as a theater town since the Edo Period. 2025 will be the 400th anniversary of Dotonbori, so using it as a stage the performers prayed for the revival of Japan's theater culture, and strove to send Osaka's spirit out to all of Japan and the world.

Filled with the desire to "fuel the revival of Japan's theater culture," Ebizo Ichikawa XI took on the roles of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Hinokagutsuchi-no-kami and performed the "Kagutsuchi no Mai" dance.