About Hanayashiki Shojo Kagekidan
Q: Could you tell me about Hanayashiki Actors Studio?
When a parent company of Hanayashiki changed from TOGO (Toyo Gorakuki) to BANPRESTO in 2004, Hanayashiki Actors Studio was established. When TOGO (Toyo Gorakuki) that ran Hanayashiki's amusement park went bankrupt, the neighbors called for saving Hanayashiki, so BANPRESTO in Komagata, which is a subsidiary of BANDAI, took over the operation of Hanayashiki. Since BANPRESTO and BANDAI have been companies that manufacture toys for children, when Hanayashiki was renovated, they thought it would be nice if something enjoyable for children could be created in Asakusa in which many entertainers have been active, so Hanayashiki Actors Studio was established, and shows in which elementary and junior high school girls between 6 and 15 years old perform began to be held.
Therefore, "Hanayashiki Shojo Kagekidan," a girls' operetta, was formed at the same time as the actors studio was established in 2005. At that time, there was also a class for voice actors. Now, the class was no longer held, but the girls' operetta continues to appear on the stage on every Sunday.
Q: Are there other events in which the girls' operetta participate?
For example, they participate in the Shitamachi Tanabata Festival that is annually held on Kappa Hashimoto Street. They have participated in the festival for years. They have also participated in events held in the vicinity, including plant and flower fairs at Asama Shrine and Asakusa Kannon Uraichiyo Sakura Festival. Also, "Aoi to Kaede," sisters and members of the girls' operetta, who have practiced samisen and folk songs from their childhood, debuted as professional singers, and have appeared in concerts organized by Masaaki Hirao, a composer.
Q: Are there many members who try to be professional performers?
No, they aren't. Most of them come to Hanayashiki by train without making a transfer, and perform on the stage as an accomplishment. They just enjoy performing on the stage in Hanayashiki and entertaining audiences rather than trying to be professional performers. They come to Hanayashiki on Sundays in order to perform on the stage, and on Saturdays and weekdays to take lessons.
Q: Is the girls' operetta a kind of teenage stars?
"Hanayashiki Shojo Kagekidan" is a little bit different from teenage stars. It is rather a team like "Shochiku Kagekidan," a revue company. They dance wearing swallow-tailed coats. Especially, a tap dance is mandatory, so they begin to learn the dance soon after joining the team. We hope 2 or 3-year-old children see the stage and dance with members of the girls' operetta. Also, we hope that members of the girls' operetta become pure and right-minded adults while enjoying the stage.
Q : People in this area are deeply attached to Shochiku Kagekidan, aren't they?
I think so because Shochiku ran Hanayashiki at one time. Therefore, we hope the girls' operetta is actively involved in many events as a revue company.
Q: What other events have you held?
We have held a variety of events throughout the year. Although the grounds of Hanayashiki are limited, there is "Stamp Rally," or competition in which participants follow a prescribed course and have cards stamped at various places en route. Also, we set up a professional wrestling organization and have regularly held professional wrestling matches as "Hanayashiki Professional Wrestling" at "Hanayashikiza," a multipurpose hall. When a climate is good in summer, wrestling matches are held on a ring set up outdoors in front of the stage. We also hold some shows in which geishas from neighboring areas perform dances.
Q: What age-group enjoy watching professional wrestling matches?
When the professional wrestling organization was set up, professional wrestling programs were aired on TV, but now, there are few professional wrestling programs, so we aim to hold professional wrestling matches that fathers, who watched professional wrestling programs on TV when they were children, and their children can watch together as fathers explain about professional wrestling. The number of children who enjoy watching professional wrestling has increased. Children who like playing games are also excited when they watch wrestlers fighting in front of them. Also, many women enjoy watching wrestling matches. It might be a social trend.
Q: What is the difference between wrestling matches held in Hanayashiki and those in Korakuen Hall?
The characteristic of "Hanayashiki Professional Wrestling" is that all wrestlers wear masks. So fans are connected emotionally to wrestlers' characters rather than wrestlers themselves. Ring names of wrestlers are also named after Asakusa and Hanayashiki. For example, there are wrestlers named "The Kaminari Monster," "Fujin," "Raijin," and "The Roller Coaster" who is an embodiment of the roller coaster in Hanayashiki. There are babyface and heel wrestlers, so it is very simple, and audiences can easily empathize with babyfaces. (continued in the right column)
About the positioning of Hanayashiki in Asakusa
Q: The Asakusa area has changed over a long period of history. How will Hanayashiki be positioned in the future?
As I mentioned before, Hanayashiki has been operated mainly as an amusement park since it opened as "Asakusa Hanayashiki" in 1949. The number of visitors who come to the amusement park has steadily increased. However, the grounds are limited, so the amusement park alone is not enough to attract a large number of visitors. In such a situation, we have held a variety of events in "Hanayashikiza," a multipurpose hall, and many visitors have come to see those events. Also, whole Hanayashiki can be privately reserved after regular opening hours.
The number of visitors to Asakusa at night has been few in the past. There were few facilities and stores which were open at night. However, theaters and stores in the 6th section have begun to be open at night, so we try to attract visitors to entertainment facilities other than the amusement park. We hope those activities can make Asakusa a prosperous area.
Q: Do tourists visit Hanayashiki after sightseeing in the Asakusa area?
Many visitors come to Asakusa with an eye to play in the amusement park. Especially, most of families come to Asakusa in order to visit Hanayashiki. Some of them visit Senso-ji Temple after playing in Hanayashiki. Also, since they might dine and buy something in Asakusa, we plan to set up additional restaurants and shops in Hanayashiki.
Q: How do people spend a full day at Hanayashiki?
They can get on rides and enjoy seeing flowers, as well as having meals in fancy eating facilities in Hanayashiki. Visitors can re-enter Hanayashiki if they ask in advance, so some visitors return to Hanayashiki after visiting Senso-ji Temple.
Q: Do visitors know that Hanayashiki was formerly called "Kaen" in which many flowers were planed?
Contrary to my expectation, many of them are surprised to know that Hanayashiki was a flower garden when they come to Hanayashiki. We want to make it widely known among visitors. For example, there is a venue on the rooftop from which the Tokyo Sky Tree and the main building and the five-storied pagoda of Senso-ji Temple can be seen. Visitors are surprised to see the view when they ascend to the rooftop. Those things have gradually been known to people, and the number of elderly visitors who come to take pictures of flowers in Hanayashiki has increased. So we plan to add facilities and events in order for visitors to enjoy even if they do not get on any rides.
Q: What have you done for Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020?
Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 will be a milestone, so we plan to prepare for it as an entertainment complex that tourists from abroad can also enjoy. Now, there are only Japanese and English versions of our pamphlets and website, and only a few employees can serve tourists from abroad, so we start with making eating facilities capable to serve those tourists. When many Chinese tourists came to Hanayashiki the other day, the number of those tourists who cannot speak English was more than expected, so our employees who are proficient in English had to communicated with them by writing. So we realized that English alone is not enough. Recently, the number of tourists from Thailand has increased, so we should think of how to serve them.
Q: By the way, where is a recommended location to take pictures?
It is the rooftop. When the weather is fine, the Tokyo Sky Tree looks close as if it can be touched. The rooftop is a popular place because it gives a sweeping view over streets of Asakusa.
Q: In conclusion, could you publicize Hanayashiki?
Hanayashiki is an amusement park in which three-generation families can enjoy, so we will make additional facilities and events that people of all ages can enjoy riding and seeing. Also, songs and dances performed by the girls' operetta make everybody smile. We will continue to operate this precious place. The girls' operetta has also participated in events held in the vicinity, which deepens collaboration with the neighborhood. Neighbors have watched over the girls' operetta.
Takahiro Azuma, a comedian, took over "Shojuku," a training school for entertainers, which was established by Hachiro Azuma, the father of Takahiro, and has used Hanayashiki as a training place. We will extend those opportunities, and liven up Asakusa further.
An event marking the 160th anniversary of the foundation of Hanayashiki was held last year. We will work toward the next 200th anniversary.
Streets of Asakusa can be seen from the Bee Tower's gondolas.
Streets of Asakusa can be seen from the Bee Tower's gondolas.