Eirakukan, Traditional kabuki theatre in Izushi, Japan
Eirakukan is a kabuki theatre in Izushi featuring a revolving stage measuring 6.6 meters (22 feet) in diameter that rotates using mechanisms below the floor. Wooden name plaques of past kabuki performers cover the theatre walls as a record of artists who have performed here.
The theatre was built in 1901 and operated continuously until 1964 when it closed. Following major restoration work, it reopened to the public in 2008.
The theatre hosts regular performances of kabuki and other traditional Japanese performing arts, keeping these forms alive in the Kansai region. Visitors can watch how local artists continue to practice these time-honored ways of performance.
Visitors can access all sections of the theatre including the stage, backstage areas, and the underground mechanisms that control the rotating platform. Take time to explore different seating levels to understand how the space was designed for both performers and audiences.
The theatre features a special pathway called the hanamichi that extends from the back of the building through the audience to the main stage. This direct route allows performers to make dramatic entrances and exits among the crowd, creating an intimate connection with spectators.
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