JI-KABUKI in Kashimo

JI-KABUKI is a kabuki performance performed by the local people. Centuries ago, professional actors were invited to perform kabuki on stages set up in shrines. The local people learned how to perform kabuki and began to put their own performances in theaters built by themselves. Ji-kabuki was once prohibited by the Tokugawa Shogunate, but the people, even though they were censured, preserved their costumes and continued performing.

In the early 20th century, theaters to perform ji-kabuki were built all over the Tono region. Since the actors were all amateurs, they had a hard time practicing, but they never gave up performing. Ji-kabuki is still performed today, and it had become a tradition in the Tono region.

Classical Music Concert in Meijiza

Inheriting the will of Chikashi Tanaka, a renowned violinist and a professor emeritus of Tokyo University of the Arts, a classical music concert called "The Chikashi Tanaka Music Festival" is being held annually here at Meijiza. "I want the children in the countryside to have an opportunity to listen to the "real" classical music, not the digital sound." Tanaka's enthusiasm was the beginning to "The Classical Music Concert for Children" which has reached its 15th performance. Kei Shirai, a violinist, is conducting the orchestra since 2010. The orchestra is organized by freelance performers and members of the symphony orchestra.