Matsunoya Hachiko - NINJA KOTAN

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, awabiread moreEnjoying Traditional Performing Arts in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku: An Evening with Geisha and Hōkan

10Jun, 20242024年6月9日

Experience

Experience Hokan and Geisha Performances in Kagurazaka

By ninjakotan

Do You Know the Traditional Comedian “Hokan”? There Are Only Six in Japan Now. Do you know what a Hokan (幇間) is? Hokan often appear in traditional Japanese arts like Rakugo storyteller, so it’s a word worth knowing. The term “Hokan” combines the meanings of “help” (幇) and “relationships between people” (間), signifying someone who aids in social interactions. A Hokan is a professional who entertains the host and guests at drinking parties by performing arts, assisting geisha, and enlivening the atmosphere. Historically, it has been a male profession. In the early Edo period, around the 1650s, Kabuki actors also served as Hokan. Hokan is also known as “Taiko-Mochi” or “Male Geisha.” The term “Taiko-Mochi” is still used today, albeit with a negative connotation, meaning someone who flatters others to gain favor. However, Hokan is respectfully called “Tayushuu.” In modern terms, a Hokan could be likened to a clown or comedian. The origin of Hokan is said to date back to Sorori Shinzaemon, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. When Hideyoshi was in a bad mood, Sorori would cheer him up, leading to the term “TaiKo-Mochi,” which evolved from “TaiKo-Mochi,” meaning one who flatters the Taiko (太閤 a title forread moreExperience Hokan and Geisha Performances in Kagurazaka