With the arrival of December and the Christmas mood intensifying, illuminations that recreate the Naniwa-za playhouse that once stood in Dotonbori, which is crowded with foreign tourists, have appeared, entertaining tourists and passengers on the Dotonbori cruise ships that pass by.
Dotonbori Illumi What is Dotonbori Goza “Naniwaza”?
This illumination event was apparently set up by a group made up of local shopping streets.
In the summer, events such as the Dotonbori River Manto Festival are held to enliven Dotonbori, and
the illuminations are planned as an event to enliven the winter season.
As a starting point, the Naniwaza illumination was created.
With the cooperation of a university with old records, it was recreated using the technique of making large flat lanterns, making it an impressive illumination measuring 5.7 meters wide, 1.2 meters deep, and 2 meters high.
The lights will be on from 5pm until 1am the next day until December 31st.
What is Naniwaza?
Naniwaza is one of the five Dotonbori playhouses that once existed
(Bentenza, Asahiza, Kakuza, Nakaza, and Naniwaza).
About Dotonbori Goza
It is said that in the past, theaters from all over Osaka were gathered on the south side of the Dotonbori River, and the area developed into a theater town. The Dotonbori Goza theaters, Kadoza, Naniwaza, Nakaza, Asahiza, and Bentenza, are considered to be the largest theaters in Japan, and are also known as Naniwa’s Broadway. Apparently he was called.
Traditional performing arts such as bunraku and ningyo joruri were shown, and it seems to have played an important role as a cultural center.
Traditional and historical theaters
Asahiza
is a theater that used to be called the Kakumaru no Shibai. When it was renovated in 1883, it was renamed Asahiza, and in 1911 it became the first theater in Dotonbori to mainly perform movies.
Founded in 1669 by Kadoza Kanbun . During the Edo period, it was called “corner play.”
The world’s first “rotating stage” was installed at Kakuza, and it is said to have been invented by Shozo Namiki, a Kabuki artist who was born at a playhouse in Dotonbori.
It was completed in 1661 and was called “Naka no Shibai” during the Edo period . It is well known that the genius comedian Hiromi Fujiyama went out with his wife late at night three days before her death, saying, “I wanted to go to Nakaza.”
Dotonbori Illumination Dotonbori Goza “Naniwaza” Illumination period is until February 29, 2024
The illumination is scheduled to be extended every year.
This illumination is scheduled to be displayed along the streets of Dotonbori, with the aim of reviving the “Dotonbori Goza” by extending the length of the illumination every year.
Between Dotonbori Bridge and Ebisu Bridge, red half-arch neon lights
will be lined up at even intervals, and blue lights will be illuminated above them.
According to the organizers, they plan to extend the section every year and extend it to Nihonbashi in six years.
