Enjoying Traditional Performing Arts in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku: An Evening with Geisha and Hōkan
Enjoying Traditional Performing Arts in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku: An Evening with Geisha and Hōkan On July 19, 2024, I attended the “17th Kagura Goyomi (Calendar)” event at the Ryotei “Yukimoto” in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku. This event was dedicated to enjoying the traditional performances of “Hōkan,” also known as male geisha or “Taiko-mochi.” Only six Hōkan are left in Japan today, making this a very rare and valuable experience. At this event, four geisha from Kagurazaka and the Hōkan “Matsunoya Hachiko” collaborated to liven up the evening. The Event Began as Follows The event began with the geisha serving drinks to the guests and engaging in conversation. After the guests had enjoyed some of their meals, the geisha performed traditional dances. As the guests neared the end of their meal, just before the rice course, the Hōkan showcased various performances. The menu for the evening was as follows, and as expected from a high-class Ryotei that has entertained prominent figures from the political and financial worlds, each dish was exquisite and delicious: Appetizer: Clam, spinach Ohitashi, grilled matsutake mushroom Soup: Shrimp fishcake, Kuruma-fu, carrot, asparagus Sashimi: Striped jack, tuna, white squid Stewed Dish: Winter melon, pike eel Fried Dish: Hairtail fish, awabi