Uchiko-za, Historic kabuki theater in Uchiko, Japan.
Uchiko-za is a two-story wooden theater with a traditional Dutch gable roof built in 1916. The interior contains a revolving stage, trap doors, and pulley systems that work together to support the demands of kabuki and puppet performances.
The theater was founded in 1916 to commemorate the enthronement of Emperor Taisho. A major restoration in 1985 led by local community efforts ensured the building's survival and brought it back to working order.
The space welcomes visitors seeking to experience kabuki and bunraku puppet performances in their original setting. Audiences sit in traditional Japanese box seating, creating a sense of stepping back into how people have watched theater here for generations.
The theater is walkable from Uchiko Station in about 10 minutes. Visitors can tour the building during operating hours or attend performances when scheduled.
Beneath the stage lies a hidden chamber called Naraku containing original mechanical systems still operated by hand during performances. Stagehands move through concealed passages to activate these devices, creating effects that remain invisible to the audience.
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