TOKYO - In the heart of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district, a group of young men known for working in host clubs are taking the stage—not in their usual nightlife roles, but in a traditional Japanese dance performance.
The show, titled Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko: Nihon Buyō Yamamura-ryū Mai-zarae, will be held on May 16th at the Kabukicho Noh Theater in Shinjuku. The performers, some with bleached blond or long hair, are serious in their dedication, diligently practicing Kamigata-mai, a refined classical dance style from western Japan.
"They don’t get angry much, but when they’re corrected, they suddenly react with this youthful energy that’s actually kind of endearing," one instructor observed. "In the beginning, their obi sashes were tied too high or awkwardly, or they looked a bit out of place in kimono. But since they’ve been training more than three times a month, they’ve become increasingly confident—now they wear their kimono properly and move more gracefully."
While this event is set in Kabukicho, the dancers and their supporters hope to eventually perform on even larger stages—perhaps even prestigious venues typically reserved for traditional dance showcases. The project aims to bridge the world of nightlife and classical art, highlighting the transformative power of serious practice and cultural appreciation.
Source: 産経ニュース
