By HIDEO SATO/ Staff Writer
June 11, 2020 at 18:28 JST
“Geiko” and “maiko” dance together at the autumn performance “Gion Odori” held by the Gion-Higashi entertainment district in Kyoto in November 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
KYOTO--A fall tradition with the five “kagai” traditional entertainment districts here holding dance performances by “geiko” (geisha) and “maiko” apprentices has been canceled due to concerns about the novel coronavirus.
The five kagai--Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho, Kamishichiken and Gion-Higashi--announced the cancellations through the Kyoto Traditional Art Foundation on June 10.
Organizers said that it is too difficult to take full safeguards to ensure the health and safety of visitors and performers amid expectations that a second wave of the new coronavirus may hit in the fall.
The canceled autumn performances are “Onshukai” by Gion Kobu (early October); “Mizuekai” by Miyagawa-cho (mid-October); “Suimeikai” by Ponto-cho (between Oct. 15 and 18); “Kotobukikai” by Kamishichiken (mid-October); and “Gion Odori” by Gion-Higashi (between Nov. 1 and 10).
Miyagawa-cho and Kamishichiken also canceled the dance performances of “Kyo Odori” and “Kitano Odori,” respectively. The two performances had been postponed from the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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