Dec 02 (NHK) - Signboards with the names of Kabuki actors scheduled to star in year-end performances were put up outside Minamiza Theatre in the city of Kyoto on Tuesday.
Workers used ropes to hoist up the boards during an annual event that is called "maneki-age," which dates back to the Edo period, from the 17th to the late 19th century.
The names of the 47 actors, including living national treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, were written on the boards in calligraphy. A theater manager threw salt and prayed for successful performances, when the work was finished.
This year, officials did not make a public announcement about the event in advance, as they usually do. They wanted to prevent crowds from gathering and spreading the coronavirus.
A woman in her 70s said she was happy to be able to watch the event. She said every year when she watches it, she has the feeling that the end of the year is approaching.
The performances will run from December 5 through 19.
Source: Kyodo
