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Paper short abstract:

Most local amateur kabuki groups have had to face various issues of succeeding their tradition during and after the COVID-19 crises. The author will analyze a local amateur kabuki, Ogano kabuki, in terms of their efforts and solidarity to preserve their local culture, surviving the crises.

Paper long abstract:

Most local amateur kabuki groups have had to face various issues of succeeding their tradition during and after the COVID-19 crises. Most local festivals including kabuki performances have been canceled, and they couldn’t have practiced together in person their repertoire and related skills, to avoid infection. During this period, actors, instrument players, and storytellers, gidayu have only practiced on their own, which restricts their improvement, while each property such as costumes and wigs must have got prepared with care. Different from professional kabuki actors, amateur kabuki participants tend to be affected by their personal circumstances such as regular works and family issues. In addition, their instructors, or leaders (also amateur) are likely to be elderly people, and some have passed away during the crises. However, some local amateur kabuki groups have gradually started their activities and related local festivals have also been resumed with audiences in the second half of the year 2022. The author will analyze a local amateur kabuki, Ogano kabuki, raised since nearly 250 years ago in the mountain area of Chichibu district, Ogano, in terms of their efforts and solidarity to preserve their local culture, surviving the crises. Ogano kabuki can provide everything necessary for kabuki performances on their own including performers, properties and property staff, which is a strong advantage, compared to the other local amateur kabuki groups. Their advertisement and archives are well organized as well. A professional photographer and journalist, Yamaguchi Kiyofumi, immigrated to this town from Tokyo, and is responsible for taking photos on all the important events and practices, as the current town mayor’s advisor. Kosuge Mitsuo, professional painter, woodblock artist and sculptor, was born and raised in Ogano, and has contributed to Ogano kabuki by describing lots of their impressive kabuki scenes from the perspective of an original resident. Their products have been helpful to show interesting and attractive features of Ogano kabuki nationwide and they have also contributed to the archives.